CB2 Magazine October 2023

A SPECIAL ARTS + MUSIC SECTION

featuring:

THE ART OF DRESSING WELL

GATHER ’ROUND THE CAMPFIRE

Get your head inside the brilliantly heartfelt, unapologetically absurd musicial stylings of Campfire Tyler

NEIGHBORHOOD STROLL: Colleton River Club

A BUILDER’S DREAM

Colleton River Home is a Dream Come True for Rhett and Kaila Jeffcoat

THE ART AND SCIENCE OF STONE RESTORATION WHY HOMEOWNERSHIP IS ‘TERRIFIC’ RIGHT NOW

38

THE ART OF DRESSING WELL

Modeled by Gioia DiBartolomeo. Find this look at Kelly Caron Curated

WHAT’S INSIDE 34

CREATING COMMUNITY THROUGH THE ARTS AT PALMETTO BLUFF AND BEYOND

62

SETTING UP CAMP: HOW THE HILTON HEAD JAZZ CAMP GREW FROM ONE MAN’S SONG TO A SYMPHONY THAT IS GUIDING FUTURE MUSICIANS

72 VINYL ALBUM REDUX

86 HILTON HEAD BALLROOM DANCE STUDIO CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF CHANGING LIVES

93 LESTER YOUNG JR. AN EXTRAORDINARY PATH OF TRANSFORMATION

132

WHY HOMEOWNERSHIP IS ‘TERRIFIC’ RIGHT NOW: ONE HOMEOWNER BUSTS THE MYTHS SURROUNDING THE AMERICAN DREAM

136 THE ART & SCIENCE OF STONE RESTORATION: MASTER TECHNICIANS DOUG HOOVER AND RODDY LANE HAVE THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE TO MAKE NATURAL STONE LOOK BETTER THAN BRAND-NEW

140 CLUB CAR: DRIVING THE STATE OF MIND

ON OUR COVERS

66

GATHER ’ROUND THE CAMPFIRE

Get your head inside the brilliantly heartfelt, unapologetically absurd musicial stylings of Campire

Tyler

100

NEIGHBORHOOD STROLL: COLLETON RIVER CLUB

The land between two rivers

108

A BUILDER’S DREAM

Colleton River home is a dream come true for Rhett and Kaila Jeffcoat

GENIUSES AT WORK

The Referee

Maggie Marie Washo

Master of Coin

Marion Elizabeth Bowser

Rainmaker

Kim Conrad Crouch

Master Handshaker

“Just Kandace” Cunningham

Lead Door Knocker

Morgan Ambler

Talent Delivery Specialist

Kaila Jeffcoat

The HelpHER

Jevon Daly

Mascot in Training

Buoy Conrad Crouch Pritchard

The Gatekeepers

Greta Von Bowser

Vincent Von Bowser

The Cut & Paste Crew

Catherine Davies

Hunter Kostylo

Aspiring Novelists

Cheryl Alexander

Jesse Blanco

Carmen Hawkins DeCecco

Matt Eckstine

Linda S. Hopkins

Lynne Cope Hummell

Barry Kaufman

Courtney McDermott

Alan Perry

Cheryl Ricer

Lilli Serral

Connie Sewell

Morgan Stewart

Lisa Sulka

Sheila Tucker

Lighting Experts

Photography by Bill Donavan

Photography by Patrick O'Brien

John McManus Photography

Photography by M.Kat

Find Us Here

PO Box 22949

Hilton Head Island, SC 29925

843.816.6247

maggie@ch2cb2magazine.com

The WORD MOnsTeR

THE ARTS + MUSIC ISSUE

WA few years ago, Laurie Savidge reached out to me and suggested we recreate iconic album covers with “rockstar moms” for our Mother’s Day issue. I think this suggestion may have come just as we were sending the May issue off to print. The idea was fantastic but seemed a bit overwhelming to me at the time. Just the thought of scheduling multiple people for very stylized shoots with props, specific wardrobe and retro hair & makeup seemed daunting. But I wrote that idea down and pinned it to the wall over our printer. Perhaps that’s what inspired this month’s shoot, where we did something similar with local entertainers for our ARTS + MUSIC issue. Laurie was right; it was a good idea. I was also right; it was a lot to pull together. Cruise on over to page 72 to see the results. We would love to see yours! Email me at maggie@ch2cb2magazine.com if you think that’s something you have the time and talent to pull off; we may feature a few of your submissions in our next issue and give away a prize for the effort.

As a creative person, this is one of my favorite issues to put out every year. I love highlighting local talent, and we are beyond blessed in this area. In Setting Up Camp, Barry Kaufman shines the spotlight on James Berry, the director of fine arts at Hilton Head Christian Academy. Twelve years ago, he launched the “little jazz camp that could,” inspiring young people to make beautiful music. He never imagined what a huge success it would be. Read the story on page 60.

OCTOBER 2023

Campfire Tyler takes us inside his quirky lyrical mind (and on a tour of Beaufort and surrounding areas), in the spread beginning on page 66. He’s also gracing the cover of CH2, which was shot on Driftwood Beach at Hunting Island. Tyler is “having a moment.” You may have caught him at multiple events during last month’s Hilton Head Island Songwriter Jam put on by the Town of Hilton Head Island.

Larry Perigo was one of the island's original entertainers, making The Headliners famous in our area. The first time he was booked to perform here, though, he wasn’t even sure if “Hilton Head” was one word or two. Read all about his musical talent and the time he fired Jimi Hendrix (page 82.) Yep, you read that right. That Jimi Hendrix.

Our Neighborhood Stroll feature highlights the beautiful Colleton River Club and a custombuilt home by Rhett and Kaila Jeffcoat. Connie Sewell is back with some design tips on lighting, and Barry Kaufman gives us a real estate update.

I’d like to welcome our guest writer, Lynne Cope Hummell, who weaves the tale of two young men who came to Hilton Head Island to start a dance studio 20 years ago. You know them as Sandro and Armando, and we at CH2 know them as two of the most fun people in our area. Read the story on page 86. Better yet, go take a dance lesson with them. You’ll love it!

I could say so much more about this issue, but I’m running out of room, and there’s probably another festival I have to get to. It’s October, after all. Enjoy the BEST month of the year!

photography by taylor kent

Award winning painter, Susan Mayfield, will be the October 2023 Artist in Residency at Palmetto Bluff.

Photo by Bill Donavan

Article by Morgan Stewart Photography provided by Palmetto Bluff

CREATING COMMUNITY THROUGH THE ARTS AT PALMETTO BLUFF AND BEYOND

The arts are central to Palmetto Bluff, and the sprawling 20,000-acre property has long been a magnet for creatives drawn to its welcoming people and unspoiled natural beauty. Launched in 2022, The Arts Initiative at Palmetto Bluff is a sweeping program conceived to inspire and enrich lives through art in all its forms. Showcasing a diverse curation of artists, craftsmen, musicians, and makers, this vibrant collaboration and Artist in Residency program fosters creativity, while striving to forge a broader Lowcountry community united by extraordinary artistry and the exchange of ideas. Through handson educational experiences for residents and guests of Palmetto Bluff—and neighbors from the greater Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, and Savannah environs—the year-round programming engages and challenges diverse audiences through shared dialogues and the beauty of the Bluff itself.

Each year, notable Southern masters of their craft are invited to address varied themes that tie to the values of the community as they immerse themselves in the local culture and lead workshops. The Arts Initiative at Palmetto Bluff 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, Palmetto Bluff’s social hub which facilitates community engagement, events and immersive interactions); and installation (building a permanent collection and rotating exhibitions set amidst the Palmetto Bluff landscape). The second phase of The Arts Initiative at

The Arts Initiative at Palmetto

workshops provide hands on experiences, such as this one with mixed media artist, Teresa Roche.

Bluff’s

Palmetto Bluff’s grand entry is lined with magnificent oak trees draped with Spanish moss.

Palmetto Bluff’s community dock in Wilson Village looks out over a stunning May River vista.

An aerial view of Palmetto Bluff’s pristine 20,000acre property and waterways.

Palmetto Bluff’s December 2023 Artist in Residence will be beloved wildlife photographer, Cacky Rivers.

Photo by Patrick O’Brien

Palmetto Bluff’s 2023 calendar has seen an exciting mix of celebrated Southern artists. In June, Stella Rae Schmidt, the well-known Savannahbased fibers artist, taught Hapa Zome, a Japanese technique of flower pounding, botanical monoprinting and marbling. Atlanta-based custom fine jewelry designer, Mary Frances Maker, was the featured artist for July and led several exciting workshops where participants created jewelry inspired by uniquely textured natural objects. In August, celebrated painter and gilder Alan Shuptrine, who resides in Lookout Mountain, Tenn., guided interactive experiences with gold leafing. And highly regarded Memphisbased ceramicist, Melissa Bridgman, led guests (old and young), through September workshops which included making oyster plates and pinch pots.

The featured artist for October 2023 is award-winning painter and accomplished teacher, Susan Mayfield. Known for her use of color and light in pastel and oils, Mayfield’s roots are firmly planted in the coastal regions of South Carolina where she was raised and lived most of her life. Mayfield graduated as an Outstanding Fine Arts Student from the College of Charleston and has spent her art career teaching and painting landscapes.

Inexorably drawn to the estuaries, marshes, rivers, and ocean vistas that define the Lowcountry, her vision expanded as she traveled to study and exhibit her work in Santa Fe. In 2007, she moved to Salida, a small town in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. From this high-altitude vantage, she embraced and painted the landscapes of the Southwest, the mountains, and canyons, of her new home.

Mayfield is drawn to paint water wherever she finds herself. Water, in its various forms, has remained an ever-present theme in her paintings, and she’s inspired by locations where the power of water is evident—from the rising tides and ever-changing barrier islands of her native South Carolina to the high mountain deserts of the Southwest.

An advocate for arts and artists to promote and bring awareness to our nation’s public lands and land trusts, Mayfield believes landscape artists are in a unique position to promote the importance of public land

and the need to protect and preserve these special places. She has spent the past decade dividing her time between Colorado’s high mountain desert and the Lowcountry, finding creative inspiration in the dynamic contrasts between these vastly different geographies. She returns to the Lowcountry often to paint and teach, never forgetting where she started.

“In my travels, I search for subject matter that not only has interesting light and color but also a distinct sense of place and time. As a landscape painter, I make an emotional connection with my subject that hopefully reverberates through my painting. My intention is to find the extraordinary in everyday life. I might paint an iconic roadside scene in the Southwest, or an abandoned rice field in South Carolina, a place worn and past its prime, a place with a story, evocative of deep memories of life having been there, people like me passing through,” Mayfield said.

Mayfield’s residency at Palmetto Bluff will launch on October 18 at FLOW Gallery + Workshop with a reception to welcome the esteemed painter and view her latest collection inspired by the beauty of the Lowcountry and beyond.

On October 19, Mayfield will lead an afternoon of inspiration and instruction for capturing the beauty of the Lowcountry sunset through the vibrant medium of pastels in the FLOW Gallery + Courtyard. She will paint

alongside participants as she shares her experiences with landscape principles and provides tips on capturing light and color. Attendees will also enjoy a wine tasting by the Boundary Bottle Shop team. All pastels will be provided, and this workshop is available to individuals of all skill levels.

On October 20, guests can join Mayfield for a fivehour plein air painting adventure. Guests will hop aboard a skiff and travel to secluded Page Island to work alongside Mayfield, receiving guidance and feedback while capturing the distinct beauty of this lush maritime forest and enjoying a picnic lunch. This workshop promises to be an extraordinary and unforgettable creative experience and is suitable for artists of all skill levels. Pastels will be supplied. Oil and acrylic painters will need to bring their own materials.

On October 21, Mayfield will lead a morning workshop at FLOW Gallery focused on the intricate creeks, exquisite waterways, and winding rivers the Lowcountry is known for. Mayfield will guide attendees on painting these types of waterscapes using pastels, oils, and/or acrylics. Pastel supplies will be provided; oil and acrylic painters are welcome but must bring their own supplies.

Through the end of 2023, the residency program will present three other exciting Southeastern creatives. November welcomes Ben and Sydney Spurrier of Burls & Steel, the coveted Charleston brand that creates oneof-a-kind, hand-forged knives, who will lead exciting workshops in the art of blacksmithing. And in December, beloved wildlife photographer and Charleston native Cacky Rivers will lead immersive workshops photographing the incredible diversity of birds who call Palmetto Bluff’s land and waterways home. 

Article by Cheryl Ricer · Photography by M.Kat Styled by Kaila Jeffcoat · Modeled by Gioia DiBartolomeo

The Art of Dressing Well

“One should either BE a work of art, or wear a work of art.”

— Oscar Wilde

While not every piece of clothing in one’s closet qualifies, one should have a piece or two that qualifies as art. Do you agree? Historically, fashion has not often been elevated to the same stature as painting, music, sculpture or architecture. But fashion is one of the purest expressions of art because it is art lived daily.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, “Art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination.” Art doesn’t just appear in a museum or on a canvas. Art is everywhere. It’s in the music we sing, the words we write, and the clothes we wear to express ourselves and our style. So then if art is whatever we deem it to be, we deem that fashion is art. It’s an individual form of creative expression delivered by a designer to our blank canvassed bodies.

To underscore this idea, we’ve set our fashion feature at some of the Lowcountry’s most esteemed art galleries. Tune your artist’s eye on this curated collection of clothing and allow yourself to appreciate it from a new perspective.

Ben Ham is a fine art film photographer who works exclusively in black and white. His lifelong fascination with nature is the source of his work, and many of his stunning images are from his favorite places, like his Lowcountry Collection with dramatic, sweeping Spanish moss-draped trees, oyster beds, and grassy marshlands, or the HighAltitude Collection with snowy Aspens, icy rivers, and dreamy lakes. In addition, he designed and built the interior of the Lowcountry style building. One step inside and visitors appreciate the magnitude and serenity his work inspires. It is the perfect space to see his stunning pieces. Ham’s works are intentionally produced to be multigenerational and last lifetimes.

BEN HAM IMAGES 210 Bluffton Road Bluffton

Ensemble by Palmettoes

ART LEAGUE ACADEMY

106 Cordillo Parkway

Hilton Head Island

Beginner or professional, artist or collector, whatever your skill level or interest, at the Art League Academy, you’ll learn art from professional art educators. You can take one class or a series and choose from classes and workshops in acrylics, oils, mixed media, pastels, drawing, watercolor, monotype, collage, printmaking, photography, ceramics, sculpture, mobile-making, jewelry-crafting and other related arts. Students can work at their own pace in this open studio and at life drawing sessions. Whether you take a workshop, a weekly class series or stop in for the Lunch with the Masters lecture, you are sure to leave inspired.

Ensemble by Collage Boutique

Ensemble by Kelly Caron Curated

Inside the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina

14 Shelter Cove Lane

Hilton Head Island

Art League of Hilton Head is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit visual arts organization on Hilton Head Island. It was developed by individuals with a love of art and a desire to have a place for artists at all levels of expertise, to exhibit, inspire, inform, and instruct in a beautiful art gallery and teaching academy setting. They welcome artists and students in all media at all skill levels, including beginners. Within the gallery, visitors enjoy local artwork created by more than 250 member artists, all for sale with exhibits changing monthly. In addition, Art League Gallery hosts monthly opening receptions, artist talks and art demonstrations.

ART LEAGUE GALLERY

Ensemble by The Haven

8 Archer Road

Hilton Head Island

Judith Costello, owner-curator of J Costello Gallery, is attracted to artists through the stories they tell, and this approach is evident when visitors experience her gallery. Influenced at an early age to the worlds of opera, jazz, photography, and social statements, she began a personal art collection which, as she matured, emerged to private shows and creating relationships with artists and collectors. Today, her gallery reflects those influences through art that tells interesting stories, uses compelling mediums, and exudes quality craftsmanship.

Ensemble by Haskins & Co.

J COSTELLO GALLERY

SMITH GALLERIES

1000 William Hilton Parkway

Hilton Head Island

Smith Galleries is Hilton Head Island’s premier gallery of contemporary American fine craft and art. The gallery features the work of more than 300 outstanding American professional artists, along with a collection of creative toys for children the owners call “Kids who K.I.C.” (know, imagine and create).

Both the gallery and the building which houses it are owned by Jean and Wally Smith, who for many years were professional artists, she a weaver and he a potter. Smith Galleries encompasses 3,600 square feet and was designed by Bennett Strahan, a Taliesin architect (Frank Lloyd Wright). The interior of the gallery is fully equipped with custom display fixtures made by Wally, who also specializes in conservation custom picture framing.

Ensemble by Southern Tide

Ensemble by Maggie and Me

Ensemble by Coastal Bliss; photographed at J Costello Gallery inside of Red Fish

Pluff Mudd Art is a gallery exclusively showcasing local art. Visitors can find fine art and gifts inside this charming cottage where the art is hung in the French “salon style” which allows for viewing a wide variety of pieces from each artist. The gallery is named after the dark, soft soil found at the bottom of the marshes and at the edges of the May River at the end of Calhoun Street. A vast selection of two- and three-dimensional, large and small artwork, in a variety of styles and prices makes this a “something for everyone, don’t-miss” gallery.

Ensemble by Birdie James

PLUFF MUDD ART 27 Calhoun St. Bluffton

Ensemble by Copper Penny; photographed at Ben Ham Images in Old Town Bluffton

LA PETITE GALLERIE

56 Calhoun St.

Old Town Bluffton

La Petite Gallerie is an intimate gallery celebrating fine local art. Currently, visitors can enjoy a collection featuring five of the area’s favorite painters and a talented sculptor, with many pieces spilling out into the adjacent garden. In addition to the pastel, acrylic, oil and watercolor paintings, you’ll find blown and fused glass, one-ofa-kind clay and sculpture made from found objects, copper “spinners,” fish, turtles, birds, and other fun garden art. Visit this special little gallery where you’re likely to catch one of the artists on duty sketching or painting on the shady garden deck.

Ensemble by Gigi’s

Article by Sheila Tucker . Photography by M.Kat

A Symphony of Well-Being

TUNING IN TO THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF MUSIC

It was quite literally the eighth time in my six-hour shift. I was becoming more and more frustrated. My genuine smile was gone, replaced by an occasional forced upturn of my mouth that rarely reached my eyes. My breathing was shallower. Everything inside my head was screaming. Well, I won’t say what I was thinking, but it wasn’t nice. The “PG” version goes a little something like, “Are you kidding me? Again?”

Usually, my selective hearing game is on point. I have a knack for turning down the volume on things I don’t want to hear (comes in handy being married to a drummer). Not today. Maybe it was the relentless heat and humidity, or perhaps it was simply the excessive number of times this one song was requested and played.

I knew I’d had it when I preferred the sound of the blender grinding out the hundredth virgin strawberry daiquiri of the day—the sound of the whirring and that distinct high-pitched shrill that tells you to add more liquid. This is what I preferred to listen to over live music. Meanwhile, my cringe-worthy experience was oh so very different from the tourists surrounding me. They were living their best lives, raising their hamburgers and margaritas in the air in a vacationlike solidarity. I think someone even found a lost shaker of salt. While encouraging their littlest ones to dance, they drank in every note as if their whole vacation teetered on this moment. Even though I couldn’t help but sing along to this incredibly catchy tune, my emotional response was clearly not the same as the patrons I was serving. Same song. Drastically different experiences. But I have other songs. Depeche Mode’s “People Are People” was one of those songs in college. I was a psychology major, so it makes sense if you read the lyrics. This song greeted everyone who entered my car—followed by singing at the top of my lungs, dancing around, and feeling understood … by the music. My friends, not so much. They usually led with, “Seriously? Again?” Or,

Sheila Tucker and a symphony of balls.

to quote one friend, “Really? Can we listen to anything else?”

Music has always had a significant impact on my life. I grew up surrounded by all genres of music and access to quite a few instruments. If I wasn’t reading, I was singing, sometimes even combining the two. It was quite honestly the only way I knew how to study in school.

I gave and received music in the form of mixed tapes, later CDs, and eventually Spotify lists to help set a mood. It helped me tune people out when I wanted nothing more than time to myself. Or tune people in when I craved the connection music brought at parties, festivals, and concerts.

I’m going to guess you’ve experienced something similar. A particular song (or several) that transports you back to a special time in your life where you feel all the feels and your body can’t help but move in time. When the lyrics touch your soul in a way that, before you know it, you’re singing along, maybe even at the top of your lungs. Hello, car beside you at the stop light.

It probably won’t surprise you that research has revealed that music engages various regions of the brain associated with emotions, memory, and reward. It shows slow-tempo, harmonious melodies lower heart rate, reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone), and promote calmness or relaxation. On the flip side, music with a faster tempo tends to cause the release of dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals spark feelings of pleasure and joy and even reduce stress.

Beyond its impact on emotions, music also has the power to enhance cognitive functions. Research suggests that playing musical instruments or engaging in activities like singing can improve memory, attention, and problemsolving skills.

Music is a communal experience that brings people together, fostering social connections and empathy. Whether

singing along with live music or participating in a choir, shared musical experiences strengthen bonds between individuals. The synchronization of emotions during a show or the camaraderie of a musical collaboration can promote a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of loneliness.

There are plenty of messages in the music. Music tells a story—and not just the lyrics. The rhythms and beats all speak to our bodies, having us slow down or speed up.

Here’s the good news. There’s no right or wrong way to take in the positive effects of music, and there’s no magic “dose” or prescription. I think it’s safe to say you can’t overdo it.

In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, music is a powerful and accessible tool for enhancing our emotional and mental well-being. Its ability to evoke emotions, reduce stress, improve cognitive functions, foster social connections, and serve as a therapeutic outlet underscores its profound impact on human psychology. Whether we seek solace in a melancholic melody or motivation from an upbeat rhythm, music is a universal remedy that enriches our lives in ways beyond measure.

So, when a listener or several have requested “Wagon Wheel,” “Free Bird,” or maybe even “Margaritaville” (RIP Jimmy Buffett) for the ninetieth time, know that there’s a synaptic bam happening, harkening your listeners back to an enjoyable time in their lives, where stress fades away and joy takes center stage. 

Sheila Tucker is a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Heart Mind & Soul Counseling. She specializes in working with couples and individuals to better their relationships so they can connect more deeply to themselves and each other. When not in the office, you’ll find her walking her pups or planning her next mountain getaway with her husband.

Gioia DiBartolomeo and Leslie Bohm invite you to enjoy a Sweeter Seat.

ARTICLE BY LILLI SERRAL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

Getting Cheeky With the Leading Ladies of A SWEETER SEAT

When it comes to running a business, there are many hats to be worn. From branding and marketing to product development and more, it can be a lot to handle. Like most things in life, however, the challenges of owning a business are balanced by moments and milestones that can only be described as … sweet. This is the case with Lesli Bohm and Gioia DiBartolomeo of A Sweeter Seat, whose signature product is a chic accessory dedicated to upgrading your seat, wherever that may be.

A Sweeter Seat’s signature product can best be described as a small towel that’s portable, multifunctional, and stylish all at once. It’s meant to be kept in places like your purse, car, golf cart, or diaper bag and used whenever and wherever it’s needed, which is usually

underneath you. Keep one or more of these handmade mini towels handy and unroll it on a barstool, sandy bench, car seat, or hot outdoor furniture. It’s nearly impossible to describe every use for A Sweeter Seat’s towels, but Bohm and DiBartolomeo have compiled quite the list over the past few years.

There are actually three bright minds behind A Sweeter Seat. Before moving to Hilton Head Island, Bohm called Chicago home. There she met Jenny Ratliff, a Chicago native and talented crafter with a background in the service industry. The two eventually relocated to the Lowcountry and, along with DiBartolomeo, brought A Sweeter Seat to life in 2021. Each of the three partners brings her own strengths to the table, which is just one reason why the leading ladies of A Sweeter Seat work so well together. Even though Ratliff no longer lives in the area, she remains a partner and was integral in getting A Sweeter Seat off the ground.

DiBartolomeo, a Hilton Head Island native and all-around creative gal, spent time during college in Verona, Italy, where she studied pattern making and cultivated an interest in fashion. Her passion for sewing became a common thread with Bohm, whose mother gifted her a sewing machine and taught her the basics.

In addition to her interest in sewing, Bohm’s background in the food and beverage industry brought the idea for A Sweeter Seat to life. “I had the idea in my head for a while, but working in that industry constantly reminded me how uncomfortable bar and restaurant seating can be–especially in the heat!” she said.

Once the initial idea was solidified and the team had been assembled, the girls got straight to work. Making the brand a reality motivated them just as much as they motivated each other, and together they sourced fabric, sewed, developed prototypes, built a website, and sewed some more. Developing a specific brand aesthetic and logo was something they put a good deal of thought into, and the result is equally playful, relatable, and sweet.

The homepage of asweeterseat.com features a peachy-pink and white color scheme, a fun welcome video, and a cheeky (pun intended) writeup explaining the brand and its roots. The introductory message gives readers a warm

welcome before advising them to “protect their peaches” by bringing A Sweeter Seat towel with them wherever they go. Their Instagram page (@asweeterseat) exudes the same personality and voice. The tagline “You deserve A Sweeter Seat!” is one of the first things you’ll see, followed by a grid of posts showing their handmade products in action. The photos capture people using their towels on bar stools, on boats, in the grass, while traveling, and more. A Sweeter Seat’s social media only makes it more evident that their mini towels can be utilized in infinite ways and places.

A Sweeter Seat is a business that’s rooted in hard work, creativity, and of course, a stellar team. Bohm and DiBartolomeo are quick to recognize each other’s talents and know that they both have their own strengths. For DiBartolomeo, it’s her constant stream of ideas and a fresh perspective. “Gioia is always inspired to create something unique and genuine. She has new ideas every day,” Bohm said.

Bohm, on the other hand, excels in the organization and motivation realm. “She really keeps everyone on the same page. We have a lot of fun and we’ve learned so much together,” DiBartolomeo said.

Keep one or more of these handmade mini towels handy and unroll it on a barstool, car seat, or hot outdoor furntiure in summer.

A SWEETER SEAT

It’s not all business at A Sweeter Seat, and that’s because these ladies love incorporating fun into their work. Perhaps the most notable example is the product itself. The towels are available in just about every color, print, and pattern under the sun. From stripes and floral prints to dancing cats and everything in between, there’s A Sweeter Seat towel to make anyone smile. Take the fun up another notch by toting a towel with a print that’s covered in Christmas trees, patriotic stars, or even your favorite team logo.

Though they like to have fun, the women of A Sweeter Seat didn’t get where they are by flying by the seat of their pants. They have put an incredible amount of time and hard work into their business. Though challenges and roadblocks have presented themselves over the past three years, they have leaned on each other and learned from difficult experiences.

Bohm and DiBartolomeo agree that when it comes to doing business together, communication is key. “It’s so helpful to be on the same page,” Bohm said. She also emphasizes how important it is to make each experience meaningful, whether it’s good or bad. “There will be trials. Celebrate success and learn from mistakes,” she added.

For now, most of A Sweeter Seat’s towels are sold online at asweeterseat.com. Their online inventory is extensive and includes a range of prints and sizes. You can also find A Sweeter Seat in a few local establishments or, since they usually carry a few wherever they go, buy one from Bohm or DiBartolomeo if you see them out and about. As for the future of this small biz? It’s looking pretty sweet. 

James Berry, the Director of Fine Arts at Hilton Head Christian Academy.

ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

Setting Up Camp

HOW THE HILTON HEAD JAZZ CAMP GREW FROM ONE MAN’S SONG TO A SYMPHONY THAT IS GUIDING FUTURE MUSICIANS

Jazz is, at its core, a collaborative artform. Sure, one person can get up on a stage, stand under a spotlight, and create sounds from their instrument of choice that move the soul. But when you make that solo performance a duet, a trio or a quartet, the magic seems to grow with every added musician. Suddenly the sound that one player lays down becomes a framework— guidelines added to and elaborated upon by the musicians around them. Each makes their mark, sets their own tone, but working in tandem with everyone around them. What was just the music of one becomes the symphony of the entire ensemble.

What applies to starting a jam session can also apply to starting a jazz camp. For example, when you see what the Hilton Head Jazz Camp has become—a cultural touchstone in the jazz world that brings together students from all over the world and faculty representing some of the genre’s most exciting players—you see that collaborative beauty.

But someone had to lay the framework for that jam. And in the case of Hilton Head Jazz Camp, that would be our island’s own James Berry. The Director of Fine Arts for Hilton Head Christian Academy launched “the little jazz camp that could” 12 years ago, never dreaming it would become what it has.

“It’s become much larger than myself,” Berry said. “But it really started with this vision of just getting students excited about music.”

That first camp replicated something Berry had launched while teaching in New Hampshire. The son of a conductor and a vocalist, he had started teaching music shortly after graduating from Massachusetts’ Gordon College. His first foray into camping, the Mountaintop Music Jazz Camp, gave his students another avenue for polishing their craft. His partner in the camp was his friend Josh Kravette, whose father had been a huge mentor to Berry.

“After grad school, I moved to Hilton Head Island for the job at Hilton Head Christian Academy,” Berry said. “Not long after, I called Josh and asked, ‘Wanna do it again?’”

Berry and Kravette’s first Hilton Head Jazz Camp was an inauspicious start to the massive event the camp would one day become, with just nine students. But like a great jazz performance growing with every musician on stage, this duet would find support when Bob and Lois Masteller happened to show up for the end-of-camp concert.

“It was crazy timing,” Berry said. The couple, musical royalty on the island thanks to what they’d created with The Jazz Corner, threw their support behind the fledgling

Setting Up Camp

Hilton Head Christian Academy students rehearse for the Savannah Jazz Festival on a Thursday evening in September.

jazz camp. Crucially, they pledged the support of The Junior Jazz Foundation. This gave Berry everything he needed to elevate the camp. Well, almost everything.

“That second year, I was selling something that essentially didn’t exist yet,” he said with a laugh. “I had the vision of what I wanted it to be, but we had never been there yet. And so, when we got to June and I only had maybe seven kids registered for the July camp, I thought it wasn’t going to happen.”

And here we see the power of collaboration. The support of the Mastellers allowed him to bring in faculty, including Chris Russell, Eric Jones, Dave Elliott, David Carter, who helped find more eager campers. When camp opened in July, they had 25 students. The next year, it was 50.

If that seems to give enormous credit to the faculty, know that Berry would be the first to agree. With each year, he was able to add more and more, attracting talent he never would have dreamed of. Australian vocalist Nicki Parrott, who has shared the stage with names like Les Paul, was among the first. Since then, players like South Carolina Jazz Ambassador Mark Rapp on trumpet, Grammy nominated

pianist Kevin Bales and YouTube sensation Aimee Nolte have come on board.

“One thing I’m really proud of is our faculty. They’re unbelievable,” Berry said. “I mean, we have a couple who have been nominated for Grammys. I can’t even believe sometimes that they’re all in the same place at the same time.”

As the camp has grown, topping out at 95 students before Berry decided to scale back, they’ve only added to the experience. A partnership with USCB allowed students to experience dorm life during camp, and you’d be hard pressed to walk into The Jazz Corner or Red Fish during camp and not see a few campers in attendance.

“And it’s life changing for these kids,” Berry said, “even students that aren’t going to college for music. We have a lot of students who are actually gigging musicians now, in fact.”

Many of them you’ve probably heard. If you’ve enjoyed a show by Zach Stevens, The Nice Guys or Native, you’re listening to musicians trained at the Hilton Head Jazz Camp.

“It’s not like we can take credit, necessarily, for that,” Berry said. “For me, it’s just a really awesome way to get back to what I love about music. It’s just such a great week.”

And 12 years on, that great week has grown in ways Berry could never have imagined. To hear him tell it, he was merely the first one to start the tune. What it became is truly music to his ears.

“One of the things we always stress is that there’s no ego. We’re all here to build each other up. Whatever level you come in at, we want you to leave at a higher level and feel great about it,” Berry said. “And the faculty that I’ve chosen over the years all have that same kind of philosophy. What it’s become is just awesome.” 

Campfire Tyler sings a tune by the fire on Hunting Island near Beaufort.

Article by barry kaufman Photography by m.kat

Get your head inside the brilliantly heartfelt, unapologetically absurd musical stylings of Campfire Tyler

Some musicians can be readily analyzed, their unique life experiences making themselves known in each carefully crafted line of a song, each note of the rhythm. Then there are musicians like Campfire Tyler, players whose entire act—on stage, in the recording studio, and in person— is indefinable.

Even within the same song, it’s possible to get whiplash. For a few bars, you’re right there with him experiencing the pangs of wistful nostalgia, heartfelt soulfulness and deep introspection that mark his lyrics. But then he drops in a joke and an F-bomb that transitions right into a trumpet solo (generated by his own mouth, no trumpet needed) and you find yourself laughing despite the emotional journey you just finished.

And that’s just the songs where he’s attempting to play one song at a time. On his famous mashups that serve as the highlight of his live shows, there’s an entirely different process.

“The process is called Attention Deficit Disorder,” he said. “I’ll sit down to play one thing and realize I was playing something else.”

As a stage persona, it’s a delight to watch, joyfully towing the line between sentiment and silliness. But perhaps the most intriguing thing about Tyler Littlejohn, or Campfire Tyler as he’s more famously known, is that you’re never entirely sure it’s a stage persona. It could be that Campfire Tyler emerged, Tyler Durden-like, from Littlejohn’s subconscious to act on the musical impulses he had, until a few years ago, suppressed for too long.

For example, a standard question to ask a musician in an interview situation is to recall their favorite moment on stage. Some will tell you about sitting in with a fellow player they admired. Some will talk about playing for the first time in front of their hometown crowd. Campfire Tyler will tell you about the time he got paid for a gig in meat.

“One time I was playing around Christmas at a place called Rain -NBagels, and the owner gave me a whole ham. I mean, they paid me, too, but they also gave me this expensive ham, with glaze and all sorts of stuff,” he said, the memories of the moment dusting his tone with a slight choke. “I started crying because no one had ever given me a ham before.”

It’s a story as oddly humorous as it is remarkably fraught with emotion, which is perhaps the most Campfire Tyler way to tell a story. And the beauty of it is, to hear him talk about that ham, you realize he means it. It’s as if Andy Kaufman had chosen to go into acoustic folk rock instead of pro wrestling; it’s hard to tell where Littlejohn ends and Campfire Tyler begins.

This is, after all, the guy who took on corporate overlords to play a legendary Valentine’s Day set at the most romantic of venues—Waffle House.

“I got this email afterward from their headquarters in Atlanta that may

as well have been written in Mesopotamian script, but it basically said, ‘This ain’t your show.’ Valentine’s Day happens every year at Waffle House,” he said.

Taking on corporate overlords is just the latest leg in a musical journey that started a surprisingly short time ago, considering his already massive presence on the Lowcountry music scene. In fact, up until just four years ago, Littlejohn was waiting tables until he decided to return to his love of music. His reasons, appropriately, are as sweet as they are funny.

“I learned how to play guitar at 14, then put it down for about six years,” he said. “I picked it back up when my

daughter was born so I could get her to go to sleep.”

It also helped that a chance meeting with friend and musician Matt Robbins taught him a valuable lesson about the power of music.

“He was playing at what was Steamer’s at the time, and when I walked up, I couldn’t believe he was getting food and drinks,” Littlejohn said. “I realized he got free food and got paid to do this.”

Robbins would go on to help Littlejohn book his first season of gigs on Hilton Head Island, the first of several area musicians who would help him as he transitioned from part-time to full-time musician. Jevon Daly will be

happy to know that he played a role in the Campfire Tyler story, introducing him to Kyle Wareham, who produced Littlejohn’s first album.

“At that point I’d started picking up a few more places and had hit the ground running,” Littlejohn said. “We put out my album on March 13, 2020, and two days later, the whole damn world shut down. But it was a nice little refresher.”

The rest, as they say, is history. From there, Campfire Tyler would establish himself as one of the most fascinating voices in local music. A little bit inspiring, a little bit mad, but undeniably entertaining, Campfire Tyler puts on the kind of shows that simply remind you how fun the world can be.

“I’m really happy with where I am with everything,” he said. “I’m hoping to record more songs, make some more videos, get some more merch out there and get better as a musician.”

He didn’t say it, but hidden behind the words was something else Campfire Tyler was hoping to get: another ham, if possible. 

As part of our Arts + Music issue this month, we attempted to recreate some classic, iconic album sleeves, starring a few of our favorite local entertainers. This was no small task and required far more planning than a typical CH2 magazine spread does. Creative sessions began in early July with meetings at MOJO’s Island Records to find the right album to pair with the perfect musician.

As usual it, it took a village, a lot of careful planning and some hilarious outtakes. Be sure to follow us on social for an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the chaos that ensued.

So how did we do? Can you guess which album we were trying to recreate? If so, email your answers—in order—to maggie@ch2cb2magazine.com. All correct answers will be entered in a drawing for a $200 gift certificate to MOJO’s Island Records

Photography by M.KAT Styling + Musician Wrangling by Monica DuVall

TREVOR HARDEN DESIGNING ME

Makeup artist Randi Arroyo knocked it out of the park with this freehand “tattoo” drawing on Trevor Harden’s face. It took a little over three hours to complete—and exactly three minutes to photograph.

The hardest part about this shoot was getting the hair exactly right, which Stephanie Burns did an amazing job achieving. Taylor Kent might say the hardest part was sitting perfectly still while five cans of shaving cream were perfectly crafted around her frame.

Silhouette • Henry Road •

Fields of Diamonds • Cut

Me Deep • Behind the Door

We don’t really know what to say about this one. If you know, you know. What we didn’t know, however, was how hard it is to get a photo underwater. Several hours and a few sunburns later, it was decided to just roll camera footage and take a still from that. Shout out to Hunter Kostylo for holding that dollar bill in place.

Jevon Daly decided to call Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka to help on this shoot, which happened on Calhoun Street on a busy Friday morning in August. “I don’t want you to get arrested for stopping traffic,” he shouted through a megaphone at Maggie Washo as she tried to get the shot. This was definitely the most chaotic of shoots, with the biggest crew trying to weave in and out of traffic while getting the pose correct. Big props to Stephanie Burns who, again, helped with the guys’ hair in an impromptu salon set-up on the sidewalk. Special thanks to Conner Hollifield, Drew Lewis, Tommy Merritt and Josh Heaton, who helped us recreate probably the most iconic of album covers.

Ellie Stewart walked in the door of the CH2 studio looking almost identical to the original artist for this shot. She nailed the hair, makeup, wardrobe, and pose. Stewart was gracious enough to sing for us after we got the shot. Thanks Ellie. You’re a real pro!

elliestewart

lady at the ivories

irman burnsGossip S

Sara Burns and Phil Sirmans had us in stitches as they tried to recreate this challenging pose. Burns was the VIP here, as she had to do it in ballet shoes which (surprise, surprise) are not comfortable at all. Simans just had this outfit in his closet. Weird, huh? ;-)

Poulin and Wareham Hold on to Hopefully

Kyle Wareham and Nick Poulin probably spent less than seven minutes posing for this one. Monica DuVall spent much longer cruising through local thrift stores to find the look.

John Bruner in Repose

Jon Bruner really wanted to tackle this interesting album cover, which set Washo on a hunt for a flesh-colored unitard and the perfect spot of Hilton Head Island beach to turn into a dystopian desert backdrop. We apologize to anyone who watched this happen at Fish Haul Beach on a sunny morning in the height of tourist season. You got more than you bargained for.

Derrick Ludaway was the perfect model for this iconic shot—and he was patiently amused as DuVall and Washo attempted to secure his luscious locks in the right place with an assortment of paper clips found around the studio.

Larry Perigo treats the CH2 crew to a bit of saxophone during the photoshoot.

Article by Barry Kaufman • Photography by M.Kat

Headline News

Larry Perigo’s musical career didn’t start when he made the Headliners famous on Hilton Head

Leaf through the stacks of photos in Larry Perigo’s home and you’ll see a kaleidoscope of leisure suits and stage costumes in every color of the rainbow, tracing the trajectory of a fascinating musical career. This is the collection of his band photos, each boasting a new set of colorful threads and, in many cases, new personnel.

The photos are all of the Headliners, members of a rotating band of balladeers that Larry Perigo has led since moving to Hilton Head from Nashville back when the island was barely a blip on the radar.

“I’m the only musician you’ll ever meet that moved away from Nashville,” he said with a laugh.

Flipping through photos, he can name nearly every one of the 40-odd musicians who have called themselves Headliners, their comings and goings marking the progression of a nearly 50-year career in music.

Showing off the first, second, third, twelfth iterations, he’ll tell you how he was the best man at one member’s wedding. How he just spoke to another a few weeks ago. How one moved on and found success as a songwriter. How

Headline News

another’s drinking problem led to his ouster from the band. How a handful of them came down for the Headliners’ years-long residency at the Hyatt and opted to remain in the Lowcountry.

There’s one kid he worked with, though, whose picture Perigo doesn’t have. They called him Marbles. A guitar player for his old outfit, The Continentals, whom they’d found cleaning up at the club where they played, Marbles stepped in when their guitarist quit. While his guitar talent was solid, he tended to pawn his guitar or forget to bring his costume to the show. As such, Marbles was only in the band for a few weeks before he was let go—not long enough to make the group photo.

“I walked into this music store in downtown Nashville one day a few years later, and our bass player showed me this magazine—Time or Life or something—and there was Marbles’ picture on the cover,” Perigo said. “I said, ‘What happened? Did he go on a chainsaw massacre or something?’ And my bass player said, ‘No, he’s a star.’”

Marbles, it turned out, had gone a different route from the straightforward lounge-friendly entertainment of The Continentals to become

For the first few years after arriving in 1973, the Headliners were snowbirds, playing during the tourist season then moving on. Eventually, Perigo would make the island his permanent home.

rock ’n’ roll royalty. You might know him better as Jimi Hendrix.

“There’s a guy I play tennis with who loves telling people, ‘You know how smart this guy is? He fired Jimi Hendrix,’” Perigo said. “First of all, it wasn’t my band. I didn’t fire him.”

That’s hardly Perigo’s only brush with musical fame. Throughout his career, both as a saxophone player in other bands and as the leader of the Headliners, he would tour the country on the working man’s side of the music industry. For a few years, his band would play as part of a show with the iconic Phil Harris. At one point, he and Kenny Rogers effectively traded guitar players.

“Kenny hired our guitar player, and so that put his old guitar player out of work,” Perigo said. “And I said, ‘Come and join us.’ It became like a swap.”

But perhaps no musical crossing of stars had as much impact as the day Larry Perigo discovered Hilton Head Island. The Headliners had already racked up a fantastic reputation as road warriors, playing gigs from Nashville to Florida, when Perigo got a call from his agent about a new venue looking for talent.

“He says it’s a new hotel, a Hyatt, and it’ll be a full month on Hilton Head,” Perigo said. “I remember telling him, ‘Hold on, I have to write this down. Is Hilton Head one word or two?’”

This was in the ’70s, when the island essentially shut down between October and March, and the Headliners were being hired to fill the active months with their signature sound and skits in a residency that would see them playing Club Indigo as many as four times a night.

For the first few years after arriving in 1973, the Headliners were snowbirds, playing during the tourist season then moving on. Eventually, Perigo would make the island his permanent home, joining the island just as the loose collection of musical acts was slowly gelling into a scene. Back then, live music brought the island together at places like The Old Post Office, The Mariner’s Inn or Big Rocco’s.

Perigo didn’t just collect stories; he has a few souvenirs. For example, the beautiful piano that graces Perigo’s home, purchased from John Brackett, is the same one used to entertain the crowd at Big Rocco’s. “It still has two or three cigarette burns on top,” Perigo said.

And as The Headliners transitioned from gigging musicians to island institution, Perigo made himself at home, playing at Grace Community Church and occasionally sitting in as a member of Target the Band. Five years ago, a chance encounter over drinks at Okko led him to his beloved wife Dr. Cheryl Shipman.

“In five years, we’ve never had an argument,” he said. “That doesn’t mean that when she hears me talk she isn’t sometimes shaking her head thinking, ‘I married this idiot?’”

Their love has sustained him as the last few years saw live music get hobbled by COVID restrictions and economic uncertainty. “I still play two or three times a month with Target the Band. We call it Target the Band featuring the Headliner Horns,” Perigo said. “She encourages me to play because she knew from day one that’s what makes me happy.” 

Armando Aseneta and Sandro Virag at the Hilton Head Ballroom Dance Studio at Seaquins in Bluffton.

Article by Lynne Cope Hummell . Photography M.Kat

HILTON HEAD BALLROOM DANCE STUDIO CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF CHANGING LIVES

As Hilton Head Ballroom Dance Studio celebrates its twentieth anniversary this month, its owners honor their longtime partnership, their shared passion for teaching, and the family they have created with their dancers.

From the beginning, in a tiny studio on Cardinal Road, to now, housed in a spectacular 17,000-square-foot ballroom designed for dancing, co-owners Sandro Virag and Armando Aseneta have poured their hearts into providing a space for creativity, community and camaraderie.

The business partners met in Durham, N.C. in 2001 when then-20year-old Virag and his dance partner, Vicky, arrived from Hungary—with $200 and two suitcases. Virag was a national dance champion from a young age, and dance was all he knew.

Aseneta, who grew up in the Philippines and in Kansas, had been teaching dance at a national franchise studio in Durham for seven years when the new instructors arrived.

A year later, Vicky had moved on, and Aseneta and Virag began to talk about opening their own studio within the franchise. They were considering an area on the coast, maybe in South Carolina.

A franchise owner in the Charleston area showed them around Mount Pleasant, then mentioned Hilton Head Island, and even drove them to take a look and “see what’s there.” Virag and Aseneta came back to the island a few weeks later, booked into what was then the Holiday Inn Oceanfront, and had a miserable weekend.

“It was a horrible night,” Aseneta said. “It was raining, and it was dark; I think it was in November, so it was cold. I said I didn’t like this place—there’s nothing here.”

“We saw the beach and that was exciting, but there was nothing else,” Virag said. “We didn’t even know where Walmart was; we saw the sign, but we couldn’t find it behind the trees.”

Despite their disappointing introduction to the island, they followed up the next day with real estate agents.

They found a 2,000-square-foot space on Cardinal Road and decided to take it. Their new landlord was kind and didn’t charge rent for the first three months, while Aseneta and Virag worked on the empty shell of a space.

“Armando and I actually did everything by ourselves—the floor, the framing, the sheetrock,” Virag said.

At the same time, the two were still teaching in Durham, a six-hour drive away.

“On the weekends we are here, fixing the studio,” Aseneta said. “Then, Sunday nights, we’d drive back there so we can work Monday through Thursday.”

The two kept up the frantic pace for months until finally, the interior work was finished, permits and licenses were in place, and it was time to open. It was Aug. 1, 2003.

While many supportive clients from Durham drove to Hilton Head to celebrate the grand opening, island residents showed up as well. One particular lady made a memorable impression.

“Our first client was Gladys Fleisch. We were excited to have our first customer,” Virag said. “We offered three half-hour lessons for $15. So, this lady walks in, and she was a big fan of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. And she was dressed to the top. We had her first half-hour lesson, and she’s in love, we’re in love with her, and she goes home—and she forgets to pay! We forgot to charge her!”

Gladys called later to apologize and soon came back to pay. “We still have that first dollar,” Aseneta said.

Since those first days, the studio has grown slowly but steadily and built a family of ballroom dancers, some of whom signed up that first year. One of those early clients is Peggy Gratta, who also moved to Hilton Head that year from Durham, where she had been a student of Aseneta starting in 1999. A couple of years later, when her daughter was moving away from home, Gratta began to feel a bit of wanderlust.

“I wanted to move, and I had three things on my list so I could live my regular life: an airport, a dance studio, and a beach,” Gratta said. When she couldn’t find a good beach in North Carolina, she turned her attention southward.

“I went to Myrtle Beach, then Folly Beach, and finally Hilton Head,” she said. “After a few days, I felt a strong connection—like ‘These are my people!’ And I knew Sandro and Armando were here, so it worked out perfectly!”

Marie Hartis is another longtime dancer who was among the first to check out the new studio. When it first opened, she was a bit skeptical.

“Here were these two young guys with spiky hair, wanting us to sign up for a series of classes,” Hartis said, “and my first thought was, ‘they might not be here that long!’”

The early clients enjoyed not only their lessons but also the camaraderie they found at the studio and spread the word. Gradually, more and more people came to dance.

Gradually, Virag and Aseneta began adding levels of difficulty to their clients’ lessons. “We started pushing them, and they put more time and effort into their lessons,” Aseneta said. Some trained for competitions and many have continued to compete—and win.

Soon, the students and their instructors began holding what would become an annual showcase, to share their passion and talent for dance with friends and family.

In addition to growing numbers of paid clientele, Aseneta and Virag became involved with various nonprofits, adapting their dance lessons to suit the abilities of the participants, and never charging a fee.

“We fell in love with Programs for Exceptional People,” Virag said. “They came to one little dance class, and that’s still going after 18 years.”

The two also worked with Pockets Full of Sunshine and members of the Boys & Girls Club. They have worked with people with Parkinson’s Disease and people in wheelchairs.

Currently, Aseneta is working with residents at Preston Health Center and teaching at TidePointe Retirement Community. He also has been teaching in Sun City for 19 years, starting soon after the studio opened.

The instructors also work with Main Stage Community Theatre, providing space for their auditions, rehearsals and board meetings, as well as teaching at their summer camps.

“Armando is really big on giving back,” Virag said, so they began donating dance lessons for various nonprofits to auction at their fundraisers.

“We never know what’s going to come out of it, and we don’t expect anything. But many times, big things came out of it, and that’s why we are here in this ballroom,” Virag said.

Paul and Sondra Ammeen, who purchased one of the donated lesson packages at auction, became very involved with dancing and loved it. Virag and Aseneta eventually trained them to compete as an amateur couple.

A few years later, the Ammeens decided to build a new rental venue in Bluffton and wanted to partner with Virag and Aseneta as their tenants. “They decided they were just going to build this nice building and, together, we’re going to open up a bigger dance studio,” Virag said.

In 2010, as the new building was coming along, and Aseneta and Virag were teaching and preparing some high-profile locals for the community’s first Dancing With the Local Stars fundraiser to benefit the nonprofit Strive to Excel. It was held Oct. 10. (Aseneta remembers it as 10.10.10.)

Through rehearsals, the instructors met such local leaders as Lisa Sulka, mayor of Bluffton; Molly Hornbeak, director of the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton; Robin Swift, who was then with Coastal Discovery Museum; and Cinda Seamon, fire and life safety educator for Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue. Seamon now helps the studio with marketing and public relations.

“Cinda has been our best friend and client since 10.10.10. because that brought her through the door,” Virag said. “I don’t know if she ever would have danced here or done anything with us except for that.”

Also in 2010, the lease was up on the Cardinal Road studio. At the same time, the business partners decided not to renew their franchise contract.

“We realized people were coming here to dance with us; it was always Sandro and Armando, Armando and Sandro,” Virag said. They became independent and changed the name of the business to Hilton Head Ballroom Dance Studio.

The new building was under construction, but behind schedule. “We didn’t have a place to teach,” Aseneta said. “But guess who gave us a place? Molly from Boys & Girls

Club, whom we met through Dancing with the Stars. She said, ‘You guys come here and teach in the gym.’ So we did.”

Finally, on Dec. 14, 2010, a grand opening was held as the studio re-opened, inside the new Seaquins Ballroom. The elegant studio, with a spectacular crystal chandelier in the main ballroom, offers plenty of space for individual and group lessons, as well as large group social dances and an occasional mini-showcase or revue. Numerous longtime clients remain involved with lessons and competitions, and most have become good friends with the owners.

Toni Wald started taking lessons in 2005. “For me, it was a bucket list item. I took private lessons, attended open dance night and group classes, which led to competition, showcases and trophy ball participation,” she said. “I feel lucky and privileged to have these two young men in my life. They are special, caring, giving, encouragers, charismatic and, above all, genuine. I am grateful for their friendship for the past 18 years.”

Rebecca Goodrich is another current dancer who started out in the Cardinal Road studio. She had just moved to the island from Kentucky and wanted to continue taking ballroom lessons, so she signed up after seeing a sign advertising the studio.

“It has been inspiring and also an opportunity to express myself and my love for dance,” Goodrich said. “I have been able to expand my knowledge of ballroom dancing; I am learning Broadway and show-type dancing and experiencing lots of fun and laughter. I have the camaraderie of people who love dance. I always find my ‘happy place’ at my dance lessons.”

Hartis said she still feels better every time she goes in, which is pretty much every week when she’s in town. “When you go in there, and you’re talking to them, you are their sole focus. They make you feel so special,” she said. “And they make you feel like you’re the best dancer—better than Ginger Rogers! So, you get hooked because it feels so good—like you could dance on air. And I’m still there, because even now, 20 years later, I still feel that way.”

When the two friends pitched their studio idea back in 2003, they didn’t have a long-range plan. They simply thought perhaps someday they could make a living on this path they had chosen—to follow their passions for teaching dance. Little did they know how beautifully that vision would evolve.

“It has worked out for so many years because we are so different. Armando and I are like fire and water—complete opposites,” Virag said. “I’m social and I’m loud, and he is calm. I so need him to always pull me back in place and calm me down when I’m panicking.”

“Dancing changes lives here,” Virag said. “I never get more excited than to see how people bond and make friendships and lifetime friendships. Some of these ladies never would have known each other if not for the dance studio.”

The Twentieth Anniversary Gala and Trophy Ball will be held Oct. 13 from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets, if any remain available, are $20 each and can be purchased at hiltonheadballroom. com. In addition to student and showcase dances, attendees are invited to participate in social dances with the Equinox Band. Attire for the event is formal. 

Seaquins Ballroom is located at 1300 Fording Island Road in Bluffton. For more information, visit hiltonheadballroom. com, call (843) 837-6161, email HiltonHeadBallroom@gmail. com, or find them on Facebook.

MUSICIAN: MATT ECKSTINE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY M. KAT

M SIU CIANS in bathrooms

What’s your sign?

Aries

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

“Hey Nineteen” – Steely Dan Biggest compliment you’ve ever gotten from a fan?

“I really like what you are doing.”

Favorite piece to perform?

I would have to say ... the newest tune I am working on at the moment. It can be a cover or an original. It always feels good to do something fresh!

What do you sing in the shower?

N/A (Ummm...who doesn’t sing in the shower, Dude?)

Favorite cereal?

Frosted Mini Wheats + Cheerios

At what venue do you most like to perform?

Tough question! I perform regularly at 20 + local businesses in Savannah, Tybee, Bluffton, Hilton Head, and Beaufort. I feel very blessed to have these longstanding relationships, and it would be hard to pick a favorite. I feel like I am a good fit everywhere I am performing these days, and it feels great to be appreciated for what I have to offer.

Most requested song at shows?

The requests I get seem to be in the wheelhouse of what I am playing at that show. For example, if I am playing some Johnny Cash, someone may approach me and want to hear some “old country.” Also, I will get requests for some of the usual singing/guitarist songs. I’m happy to accommodate and hope it brings joy!

First concert you attended.

Warped Tour

Favorite artist?

Tom Petty

Place you go to get away from it all?

The mountains in western North Carolina

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

You can find me on Facebook and Instagram.

@ MattEckstineMusic.

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

A balding man with a beard

First instrument you learned to play?

Trumpet, in fifth grade

Song you were thrilled to finally master?

I do not believe in that concept. One must try to continue to learn. I am trying to be the best performer I can. I’m trying to get better at reading my environment and reacting tastefully—still working on it every day.

What do you wish you knew more about?

Woodworking and DIY building projects

What animal do you most identify with?

Cats

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

If I became famous in country music it would be Hurt Pensley because that sounds like it would be someone in country music. If I became famous in rock or pop music it would be DR. X & The Bad Medicine because that would be fun to create a new identity that was wild and weird.

What famous musician would you love to play/sing a duet with?

Dolly Parton (QUEEN!)

Where can we watch you perform?

I have a regular residency on Hilton Head Island at Sea Pines. Monday, I am at Harbourside Café; Tuesday, I am at The Beach Club. I do weekly posts on Facebook and Instagram where you can catch me live that week. My website has a full calendar of the current month for people who like to plan.

We hope you washed your hands, Matt!

LesterYoungJr. AN EXTRAORDINARY PATH OF TRANSFORMATION

At age 19, Hilton Head native Lester Young Jr. found himself facing a life sentence in prison—a daunting reality that could have stifled his potential. However, he embraced the challenge, determined to turn his life around and positively impact the lives of others.

Despite entering prison without a formal education, Young’s thirst for knowledge propelled him to defy the odds. With unwavering support from his family and friends, he not only earned his G.E.D but also embarked on business management courses through Ashworth University, pursuing education through mail correspondence. This drive for self-improvement set the stage for his remarkable journey ahead.

Inside the confines of the prison walls, Young’s commitment to education extended far beyond his

personal growth. Collaborating with the prison chaplain, and with the warden’s support, he became a beacon of change, crafting templates, outlines, and programs that provided education and mentorship to incarcerated individuals. Even today, these initiatives continue to shape lives within the prison system.

Young’s transformative efforts didn’t end upon his release on May 15, 2014, after 22 years and five months of incarceration. Rather, this marked the beginning of a new chapter dedicated to inspiring and empowering others. He went on to publish two books that encapsulate his journey and the principles of redemption he embodies. In addition, as the founder of the not-for-profit organization Path2Redemption (www.Path2Redemption.org), he is impacting the lives of many others as a dedicated advocate and organizer for fair-chance hiring, housing, and youth

Hilton Head Island native Lester Young Jr. speaks about the power of redemption and transformation.

mentoring for those with felony convictions. Founded in 2015, Path2Redemption’s mission is to provide aftercare assistance for formerly incarcerated individuals with their transition back to society.

Young will be sharing his powerful story and his important message about the power of redemption as he takes the stage at TEDxHiltonHead on Saturday November 4 from 2-5 p.m. at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. This year’s event, “The P_wer Of”, will feature eight dynamic speakers who have used the power of their unique passions and personal journeys to create real change in their communities to make a positive change in the world. Young’s “Idea Worth Spreading” will highlight his own journey as well as how providing individuals with felony convictions the chance for employment, housing and education—and treating them with dignity—is a step toward breaking down barriers and promoting a more just and compassionate community.

“I spent 22 years and five months incarcerated, and during that time, I personally experienced the discrimination that stems from having a felony conviction— even one that was over 30 years old,” Young said.

His journey encapsulates the essence of redemption, resilience, and the transformative power of education and empathy.

Young will be sharing his powerful story and his important message about the power of redemption as he takes the stage at TEDxHiltonHead on Saturday November 4 at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina.

Young’s influence extends to the realm of policy change and societal reform including collaborating with Steve Benjamin, former mayor of Columbia, S.C., to successfully champion the statewide “Ban the Box” ordinance, granting those with past convictions the opportunity to complete applications without facing discrimination.

“Being denied a second chance in the workforce was emotionally taxing, and I’m determined to help others comprehend that individuals with felony convictions are human beings who are essential to our society,” Young said. “My journey underscores the need for a fairer perspective, one that recognizes their worth and potential for contributing positively to our communities.”

Young’s journey encapsulates the essence of redemption, resilience, and the transformative power of education and empathy, and his dedication to uplifting others and advocating for a more inclusive society stands as a testament to the potential for positive change within every individual. Through his life’s work, Young paves a path toward a brighter, more compassionate future, and he’s excited for what he hopes people will come away with from his inspiring TEDxTalk.

“People with felony convictions are human beings who deserve the opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society,” said Young, who, in September 2020, achieved a significant milestone, receiving a full pardon from The State of South Carolina. He now aids others in navigating the complex process of applying for pardons to ensure they, too, have a chance at redemption and a fresh start. “Embracing rehabilitation, second chances, and the belief in human growth, we should support the restoration of their rights, which not only reduces recidivism, but also fosters social and economic benefits, upholds principles of equality and justice, and recognizes the potential for redemption and growth.”

TEDxHiltonHead will take place on Saturday, November 4 from 2- 5 p.m. at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. Tickets are available and can be purchased at artshhi.com. For more information and the complete lineup of speakers, visit tedxhiltonhead.com.

Article by Carmen Hawkins DeCecco

ALL ROADS LEAD TO CAESAR’S LEGIO XIIII

Arma portate! Movetete!” commands Optio Marcus to 15 visiting high school students from various parts of the Veneto region of Italy. Notice that the Latin command for “forward march” reads a lot like “move it!”

Centurions Marcus and Septimius of Legion XIIII (aka Mark and Stephen Brennan from Savannah) have armed the students with authentic Roman shields in Forsyth Park on a baking day in June to practice ancient Roman drills and games. Even the large and colorful handmade shields cannot hide tank tops, sunglasses, and sneakers favored by twenty-first century 17-year-olds. However, their strong command of Latin, still taught in Italian middle schools, made them most obedient soldiers for the afternoon.

Septimius and Marcus made a surprise appearance last fall at the Italian American Club of Hilton Head’s (IACHH) twelfth annual Italian Heritage Festival, where they were an unqualified hit as they strolled the Honey Horn grounds in full kit, drawing out the paparazzo in everyone with a smartphone.

Yet, no one had seen them before, so did they step out of a time machine?

It turns out the Brennan brothers are part of a large membership known as Roman Legio XIIII Gemina Martia Victrix. Translated, it means Legion Fourteen, a consolidation of centurion armies following the civil wars with Pompey and the death of Julius Caesar, when the Roman soldiers were brought together under one commander, Augustus (Octavian) Caesar. Gemina is the consolidation part. Martia Victrix (martial victory) commemorates “Boudicca’s Rebellion,” in 60 AD, when the legion famously defeated the last British rebellion until 410.

According to their website, the modern-day incarnation was founded in 2015 as a “historical re-enactment and living history organization based in the United States, [that] seeks to recreate the equipment, routines, and the experiences of Roman Legionaries from the first century AD for public, private and educational events.”

Membership groups can be found in Argentina, Poland, Italy, and Spain. But most are concentrated in the United States in the north and southeast, from Michigan, to Pennsylvania and New England, down through Virginia, Kentucky, the Carolinas, and into Texas, with the core of the original group still in Ohio.

What: Thirteenth Annual Italian Heritage Festival

When: Saturday, October 21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn

Cost: $6/person, free to kids under 10, free parking, no pets. Tickets can be purchased at the gate, or online at iachh.org/ italian-heritage-festival.

The groups get together and practice drills and fighting techniques. Their code of gear and dress is very strict and abides by a detailed handbook that explains exactly what they can wear and when they can move up in rank and armor. The handbook comes with pictures of clothing and weaponry, including photos of authentic relics found for comparison. Cloth for tunics, and paint for shields must be dyed naturally in the manner that ancient craftsmen employed to perform their tasks. Instructions are given and references to experts who specialize in plant-dyed cloth and hand-carved shields.

“Our aim is to represent the Roman military as it really was— historically correct,” said Brian Hicks, retired Marine, and former Civil War reenactor. Hicks maintains the website and represents an evocatus in the Legion. An evocatus was a retired centurion who had re-enlisted as a consultant and sometimes participated in battles. Valued for his military expertise, Hicks wears the phalerae (medals) of an accomplished warrior and helps educate new members and audiences about the reenactments.

“The movies and TV don’t always depict soldiers accurately regarding armor, weapons, titles, and protocols. We try to present the most honest version of our military forebears as we can, based on original artifacts and writings that have been authenticated and deciphered through the years,” Hicks said.

Indeed, Stephen and Mark Brennan truly know their stuff and aren’t shy about setting people straight about Roman history and politics. To outfit oneself appropriately according to the 240-page handbook requires dedication and a thorough reading along with a good source for ancient military speak, as everything needed— from kit to weaponry—is described in Latin, with no modern-day explanation.

The Brennans’ fascination with Roman history began with video games Rome Total War and Rome Settlers. Next, of course, they dressed up for Halloween as centurions. Identifying with soldiers from the past is as much about education and history as it is about the battlefield. Mark claims he’s more interested in the politics of the time, while Stephen is curious about the warfare and hierarchy.

So, what do the Legions reenact? Their largest events are known as historical timeline events, in which battle reenactors representing other eras set up their own encampments in a famous battlefield like the upcoming Marching Through Time in Jamestown. Groups from the Roman Legion era and medieval to the Revolutionary War, 1812, and Civil War demonstrate strategies, battles, and weaponry from their own time of warfare. Tables are set up with ancient Roman board games, and others serving authentic Roman meals.

This year, you can see a Legio XIIII Gemina historical reenactment at the thirteenth annual Italian Heritage Festival, presented by the IACHH, October 21, at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn. The Brothers Brennan will recreate Roman drills, routines, and games at their own encampment for festival attendees. Everyone is welcome for a day of games, entertainment, crafts, food, and a silent auction.

The IACHH is a non-profit service organization, 501(c)(3), promoting Italian heritage/culture, while raising and distributing funds to local scholarships and charitable organizations in the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton areas of South Carolina.

Septimius and Marcus made an appearance last fall at the Italian American Club of Hilton Head’s (IACHH) twelfth annual Italian Heritage Festival.

Article by Linda S. Hopkins

Risky Business

NOT INSURING YOUR VALUABLES IS LIKE A GAME OF RUSSIAN ROULETTE

list these items to maximize coverage. Art and wine are not expensive items to cover, running $4 to $6 per thousand of insured value.”

WHAT TO SCHEDULE AND WHY

In the insurance industry, “schedule” is a fancy term for list. Policyholders wishing to guard items of value should make a list of those items and purchase additional coverage with a scheduled personal property policy. The good news is that your scheduled property is protected against all risks and is not subject to the standard policy deductible.

“Let’s say you have an antique Persian rug worth $50,000. A normal homeowners policy covers fire, lightning, theft, vandalism, water discharge. If my cleaning lady spills bleach on it, or I spill wine on a white cowhide and stain it, the carriers I write will cover it, but it’s subject to the deductible. If you schedule it, you eliminate the deductible, and it gives you all-risk coverage,” Kerdasha explained.

By all-risk, he means all risks. “For example, if you have a $35,000 painting, the policy we write will cover art subject to the deductible. But if somebody’s got a $10,000 Ben Ham on the wall and it falls, some carriers would say breakage is not covered under the homeowners policy,” Kerdasha pointed out. In either case, if the art is scheduled, it is covered for the full amount, regardless of the peril that created the loss.

It may come as a surprise, but all-risk also applies to flood. “Let’s say I schedule a piece of art and my home is flooded and looks like a fishbowl. There is no exclusion for that for flood,” Kerdasha explained. “Whereas if the house floods, the homeowners policy doesn’t cover the general contents. You have to have flood insurance, which doesn’t cover the art.”

The bottom line is insurance policies can be complicated and confusing. That’s why you need an expert like Robert Kerdasha to help guide you to the coverage that’s right for you.

“We make a habit of asking every customer, ‘What are your valuables?’ My trademark would be that I sit down, listen to a customer and understand that their risk tolerance is different from the last person I spoke to,” Kerdasha said. “Define your catastrophe. Can you handle a $5,000 deductible or $100,000 deductible? Let’s tailor what we’re doing to meet that threshold.”

You’re on vacation, and you realize one of your diamond stud earrings has fallen off; you come home from a business trip to discover your wine cellar has failed and your collection is ruined; a tree fell through your roof and several pieces of original art are damaged or destroyed; a burglar ransacked your home and made away with two vintage guitars, four guns, and your grandmother’s silver….

Maybe you’re willing to gamble it won’t happen to you. But if you are relying on your homeowners insurance to cover such losses, you are in for a rude awakening.

According to Robert Kerdasha, managing director of The Summit Advisory and partner at AssuredPartners, basic homeowners policies offer very limited coverage on valuables such as jewelry, wine, guns, silver, or art. “Even with a Chubb policy, which is one of the best, there’s only coverage for $5,000 at best for jewelry, $10,000 for silver and guns. A lot of people think it’s a limit per item, but the limit applies to the total loss,” he explained. “For wine and art, there is no limit in coverage by the high value carriers, but deductibles may reduce the amount paid, therefore the reason to

Kerdasha has over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, cutting his teeth with Liberty Mutual then transitioning to higher value markets with more specialized carriers such as Chubb, AIG, and PURE, which are geared towards high-value homes. He founded Premiere Coastal Insurance Group in 1999 and joined the AssuredPartners team in 2014.

Kerdasha is one of approximately 327 insurance professionals worldwide to hold the prestigious designation of CAPI certification (Certified Advisor of Personal Insurance) from the Wharton Executive Education program—a program that helps insurance agents and brokers serve as trusted advisers to successful clients. He wants to share his knowledge and experience with you, whether it means writing a new policy or helping you evaluate your existing policy to determine if your coverage is adequate.

“Nobody really values what they have until they have a loss,” Kerdasha said. “Then they truly appreciate why they’re insuring what they’re insuring.” 

Based in Bluffton, S.C. but licensed in all 50 states, Robert Kerdasha can insure all your properties and valuables nationwide. For more information, call (843) 405-8270 or (912) 220-9994.

“RISK IS JUST AN EXPENSIVE SUBSTITUTE FOR INFORMATION.”

—ADRIAN SLYWOTZKY

ARTICLE BY CHERYL RICER

NEIGHBORHOOD STROLL:

COLLETON RIVER CLUB

THE LAND BETWEEN TWO RIVERS

The Dye Course at Colleton River.

Colleton River Club, nestled in the heart of the Lowcountry, offers coastal living at its best. Quite possibly the area’s most unique setting, the panoramic vistas are the perfect backdrop for a vibrant community with infinite opportunities to enjoy a fulfilling life. Colleton River Club is surrounded by water on three sides and bordered by an 1100-acre nature preserve. Members have access to the Colleton River and Chechessee River, Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. The natural beauty is incomparable. A vibrant community, members and their friends enjoy a variety of amenities, social activities, nature, and a myriad of outdoor activities. Luxurious custom-built homes and homesites are available, all of which complement the land and bask in the breathtaking views of the rivers. If you’re looking for a spectacular existing home or a homesite to build your own dream home, this private peninsula offers an unmatched sense of community amid pristine settings. Situated just close enough to the energy and exuberance of the Hilton Head Island community and the charm of Old Town Bluffton, Colleton River Club offers the best of

all worlds and serves as a preserve for the soul and the natural world.

Known to the natives simply as the “land between two rivers” and as a place of abundant fishing and game, Colleton River was loved early for its natural resources. Spanish, French and British explorers, pirates and sailors passed through this area referring to it as “Devil’s Elbow Barony.” In the 1700s, several land-granted members of the Colleton family began to establish and develop the area under the name “Footpoint Plantation.” Some part of the Revolutionary War was waged here as was a great Civil War battle that took place in the Colleton River and Port Royal Sound.

This 1,500-acre peninsula with direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, abundant fishing and a myriad of natural wonders and resources has long made it a natural paradise. Thanks to Colleton River Club’s founders, this paradise continues to thrive through a collective devotion to the preservation of nature then and now. This commitment to preservation is what attracted many of the current members to make Colleton River Club their home.

Angelia Hopkins and her husband David first visited Colleton River Club from their home in Dayton, Ohio, in 2014 to visit friends.

“When we drove through the gates, I knew immediately this was a special place,” Hopkins said. “The natural beauty was abundant, and the environment was so peaceful. After one day at Colleton River Club, we were convinced we didn’t need to search anywhere else.”

The Hopkins bought their home in Colleton River Club in 2015 and moved here fulltime in 2017. Since then, their six children and 10 grandchildren travel with their families from Florida, North Carolina, Texas, and Indiana several times a year to make memories.

“We feel fortunate to live in the unique and vibrant community of Colleton River,” Hopkins said.

Kirsten Dumas and her husband John were also drawn to the beauty of Colleton River Club’s natural environment along with the opportunity to move out of the cold weather in Michigan. After raising two children and becoming empty nesters, they were more than ready to find a warmer spot in a community they could begin enjoying immediately. So, when Kirsten’s sister and her husband told the Dumas’s they had purchased a home in the Bluffton area and began regaling all the things they loved about it, they decided to take a closer look.

“The natural landscape and long winding drive into the community is like driving through an enchanted forest,” Dumas said. “We were immediately attracted to the intentional preservation of the natural landscape and the abundance of wildlife throughout the community.”

With the intention to buy an existing home, each time the Dumas’s toured a listing, they took advantage of the opportunities to tour the amenities at Colleton River Club and meet as many staff and community members as they could.

“Every time we had the chance to visit Colleton River, it kept topping our list of favorites for a variety of reasons,” Dumas said. “First and foremost, everyone we met was so welcoming and helpful during our search process. We started to feel like we were home

Dining Room at the Nicklaus Clubhouse. This beautiful room overlooks the Jack Nicklaus Golf Course and the Colleton River.

before we had even found our home. Plus, the amenities— which were already amazing—were undergoing updates and improvements, all of which helped us to visualize how we would spend our time there with our family and friends.”

Colleton River Club members have access to all the excitement, cultural and culinary amenities of a world-class waterfront community along with the sense of community, security, and serenity that only a private enclave can offer. Colleton River Club is one of three clubs in the United States that features two signature golf courses by designers Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus and has been ranked on Golf Magazine’s Top 100 list.

“Our golf courses are renowned,” said Tim Bakels, former general manager and COO of Colleton River Club. “Both of our 18-hole courses exemplify the best of their designers, Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye. Since practice makes perfect, we also have professional-grade training and learning facilities and a challenging par 3 course.”

The brand-new Foot Point Tennis Center is another active and integral part of Colleton River Club amenities and a member favorite. World-class tennis amenities start with six brand-new HarTru tennis courts, a state-of-the-art underground watering system, and a pavilion for social engagements. Colleton River Club also just completed the installation of eight pickleball courts and three bocce courts.

“This is a great time for racket sports at Colleton River Club,” said Mike O’Regan, Director of Racket Sports. “With all the buzz around the new amenities, we are getting more participation than ever. A lot of new members moving in have interest in both tennis and pickleball. We also have multiple USTA leagues at Colleton River Club throughout the year, and we hold clinics on Mondays and Wednesdays; social group play and private lessons are also available.”

Throughout the year, various events are held such as the annual “Nick vs. Dye Challenge” tennis exhibitions and social “meet and play” events. “The Point,” with its comprehensive programming, is designed to engage and encourage players of all levels.

Beyond golf and racket sports, members can enjoy downtime at the pool, a fitness class or maybe a massage at the Spa. All are included in their state-of-the-art Sports & Wellness Complex. Clubs within the club exist ranging from kayaking or birding, to cooking clubs and more.

Whether you are into golf, tennis, pickleball, walking, running, biking, or water sports, Colleton River Club has it. Members can even stay on campus and enjoy the club’s beautiful dog park where there are separate spaces for both larger and smaller dog breeds.

“Our lab, Louie, has already mastered the art of lazy days and long naps on the screened porch after a walk,” Dumas said, “but he absolutely loves a fun romp with friends at Colleton’s dog park.”

The enhanced dining at the Dye Clubhouse will better optimize the amazing golf course and water views with the addition of a rooftop lounge as well as expanded casual dining with an indoor/outdoor bar and veranda. The newly renovated clubhouse promises a more relaxed experience where members spend afternoons and evenings enjoying the views gathered around the rooftop firepit with family and friends.

“With two distinctly different clubhouses and multiple dining options offering everything from poolside casual to formal dining, you hardly need to leave the community,” Dumas said. “In fact, the view from the Dye is like heaven

The Aquatics center is a member favorite and was recently renovated to provide members the perfect spot for relaxation.

Brand new Pickleball Courts at Colleton River

on earth and might have single-handedly sealed the deal for us when we saw it for the first time.”

“Although there is an abundance of activities, community clubs, water activities, tennis, pickleball, and golf to enjoy, the members here are friendly, welcoming, and engaged in Colleton River,” Hopkins said.

Dumas agreed. “We frequently receive invitations to meet at the community dock for cocktails or food trucks, or at one of our neighbors’ homes where everyone on the street brings a dish to pass,” she said.

While the amenities abound at Colleton River Club, it’s not just about the fun and games. The members prioritize service, too. Colleton River Club members are also extremely active in charitable foundations. Every year, they organize and participate in Play for P.I.N.K. which includes a silent auction, golf tournament, tennis, pickleball, etc., where the proceeds go the supporting breast cancer research. Another wonderful charitable foundation is the Colleton River Charitable Fund.

“Colleton River Charitable fund is rooted in a tradition of caring and giving,” Bakels said. “Their mission is to give our neighbors in need the tools and support to build a better future for themselves and their families. We also support the Colleton River Collegiate Tournament, an annual charitable event which showcases the talent of many of the nation’s leading collegiate players as they vie for coveted individual and team titles. Additionally, Colleton River Club members volunteer for Colleton River Friends of Habitat (for Humanity), The First Tee of the Lowcountry, and more. The generosity of our members has helped thousands of people in our Bluffton community and around the nation … and that’s the greatest impact of all.”

At the foundation of all that Colleton River Club represents is a desire to preserve and celebrate the area as a place of historical significance and natural beauty. Thanks to Colleton River Club’s founders, this low-density paradise continues to thrive through a collective devotion to the preservation of nature then, now, and in the days to come. 

At the foundation of all that Colleton River Club represents is a desire to preserve and celebrate the area as a place of historical significance and natural beauty.

Article by Liz Mayhew

Photography by John McManus

Windows: The Muhler Company

Drywall and Paint: Benchmark, Inc.

Custom Cabinetry: Peacock Cabinetry

Pool and Pool Service: Year Round Pool

Powder Room Custom Vanity: Al & Harry’s Home Fashions

Exterior Screen Porch: Armor Building Solutions

HVAC: Tidelands Air Conditioning

Tree Removal and Care: Jones Brothers

Cast Stone Fireplace Mantle and Hearth: BuiltMart

Garage Epoxy: Lowcountry Concrete Coatings

Structured wiring and wi-fi: AV Outfitters

Custom Beam-work: Encore Lumber Charleston

Countertops: AGM Imports

Counter top Fabrication: Distinctive Granite and Marble

Landscaping: Earthworks Landscape Construction

Exterior and Interior Stone: Buechel Stone

A Builder's Dream

COLLETON RIVER HOME IS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR RHETT AND KAILA JEFFCOAT

As the son of veteran builder Randy Jeffcoat and vice president of sales and marketing for the wellrespected, family-owned firm, you could say construction is in Rhett Jeffcoat’s blood. Having been in the business for many years and with countless completed homes under his belt, he and his wife of five years, Kaila, were excited to build their first home together. However, Rhett was quick to admit that being on the other side of the process was surprisingly humbling, particularly since Kaila had never built a custom home before.

Nestled under the Southern pines and live oaks, this transitional architecture was cleverly designed to bring the surrounding nature in, with focus on expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, encapsulated glass stair tower, and natural stone accents.

This state-of-the-art kitchen has inset floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, stained wood elements, and ample storage — great for entertaining and everyday cooking needs. The handmade stacked stone backsplash speaks luxury as it carries into the bar, feeling like a step into a speakeasy, with moodier tones, while staying true to the earthy landscape of the home.

Keeping true to transitional style, the 12-foot island offers expansive entertaining space with a seamless thick edge, waterfall quartzite.

“We always come home and talk about our days, so after listening to me talk shop for years, I assumed she knew things she didn’t,” Rhett said. “Once she asked me to treat her like a first-time client, the process became much easier.”

“Absolutely!” Kaila said. “I’d never built a custom home, so I was eager to learn the process. Rhett was good about breaking it down so I better understood the decisions that would need to be made and a rough timeline to stick to so the project didn’t feel overwhelming.”

One thing Rhett understood from the get-go was that pending decisions often negatively impact build times, so he and Kaila invested months into planning and designing their home upfront, finalizing most of their selections before they even broke ground.

Kaila, who studied fashion, merchandising, and textiles in college, embraced the design portion with open arms, even sketching out her ideal home layout on paper to take to their architect, Zach Brown of KRA Architecture + Design.

“For me, the layout was one of the most crucial aspects of the design,” Kaila said. “When you start talking about aesthetics and function, you can’t sacrifice one for the other, so finding that balance was key. Zach had a keen ear for what I was trying to accomplish, taking my ideas and developing them in a way that made the plan truly functional for everyday living.”

By giving the home a linear design, Brown not only ensured the transitional floor plan was suitable for entertaining—one the of Jeffcoat’s main priorities—

To avoid the common A-frame vaulted ceiling, the homeowners opted to recreate the design with graduating elevations to reach a ridge beam, complemented by the repetition of lower lying wood details. The two-tiered candlestick chandelier offers a chain link and iron element to merge nature and industrial textures standing out from the white backdrop of the walls.

Serving as a cozy place to entertain, the dining room is more than just a space to gather. Nickel gap inset wood details, a chandelier that spans the table length, and a built-in wine closet give nod to the sophistication of the room and elegance of the space.

but also eliminated the need to go up and down stairs for essentials since the primary bedrooms, home office, and laundry are all located on the first floor.

The open concept kitchen and great room are perfect for impromptu gatherings, thanks to the 12-foot kitchen island, but Kaila also had a strong desire to counter the open plan with intimate spaces that created quaint, homey nooks. The formal dining room satisfies this need perfectly, providing additional space for hosting their many friends and large families. Kaila also planned for copious amounts of storage throughout the design, ensuring every square inch of space not devoted to living was dedicated to closets, cabinets, or attic.

“I’m very much a person who wants everything tucked away and in its place,” Kaila said, “so planning for future kids and all the things they come with was very important. I’d rather have too much storage than not enough.”

The layout of the home also greatly impacted their chosen location in Colleton River. With golf being one of Rhett’s passions and the neighborhood having the best available lot to accommodate the linear design, the decision to build there was an easy choice. Kaila also fell in love with the many historic oak trees throughout the community and on their lot.

“We worked closely with Zach [Brown] to ensure we could keep as many trees as possible, and several sit close to the house, providing shade and privacy,” she said. “We wanted to feel like we were immersed in the beautiful landscape surrounding us, so the large windows are one of my favorite elements that allow for lots of natural light.”

The large windows are a credit to Brown, who proposed a tower of windows in the stairwell during the design phase that not only set off the front elevation but provided inspiration for some of the interior architectural details as well. This is most notable in the great room, where hand-hewn solid reclaimed wood beams salvaged from an 1880s Amish dairy barn bring character and warmth to the vaulted ceiling.

An entertainer’s dream, an outdoor grilling space is tucked comfortably within the screened porch, in close proximity to the kitchen for convenience.

The wood stained ceiling with beams perfectly frames the screened porch and allows for ample water views off the rear of the home. A large dining table makes way for many to enjoy the year-round beauty of the Lowcountry.

The couple also felt that merging Kaila’s Pacific Northwest background with Rhett’s Lowcountry roots was important to the design. The great room chandelier was selected since it reminded Kaila of her family’s vacation cabin in Idaho, while the hardwood floors and custom designed metal stair railings were modern interpretations of design features you might see in Charleston architecture.

Interestingly, the hardwood floors throughout the home are named after one of the islands where the couple honeymooned, Moorea, so the selection serves as a nod to their own beginnings.

“We wanted this home to shine as a perfect blend of Rhett and myself, paying respect to the roots that built us and the new ones we’re planting together,” Kaila said.

Designed with aesthetic and function in mind, the living space of the screened porch gives a warm place for friends and family to gather around a true woodburning fire, with special niches for wood storage.

The steep gables off the rear of the home prove just as grandiose as the front elevations. Offering a true courtyard effect, the pool rests in the center of this U-shaped design.

“We wanted it to have meaning beyond beauty and quality, so each selection was sought to withstand the test of time while still being meaningful to us.”

Kaila’s knowledgeable background in fashion also heavily impacted the interior design finishes, with a subdued, yet artfully curated palette of colors, shapes, and textures blending in a decisive, sophisticated way that avoided becoming too austere or formal.

“Mixing design elements is important for customization, but each space should flow to the next with ease,” she explained, calling attention to details such as the custom lighting, use of different wallpapers, and handmade tiles that were vertically or horizontally stacked instead of the traditional brick set. “The idea is to have different elements that are compatible but still minimal.”

This mindful approach is evident in many of the selections the couple made, as they opted for clean, straight lines instead of lots of swoops and curves, a choice that continued when choosing their furniture and fabrics. The Jeffcoats also knew designing for longevity should be a high priority, so they stayed predominantly neutral on the interior, with Kaila noting that if their

A true nod to the intricacy of the home, each railing was hand forged to create detail within the vertical pickets, complimenting the white oak tread and risers. To draw the eyes up, the stained wood ceiling parallels the warmth of the wood floors.

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Merging rustic with elegant, the main powder room wallpaper gives a simplistic yet stunning canvas for the free floating wood vanity, concrete vessel sink, and dark grey chevron tile floor.

A space to escape, the media room loft sits off the stair tower and guest quarters to provide a cozy space to unwind. Detailing the space with white oak panels plays homage to aesthetics while the backing is designed to absorb sound and prevent echoing throughout the loft.

style preferences evolved over time, they could simply change the furniture or rugs without needing to engage in a massive remodel of hard surfaces.

And while Rhett agrees that Kaila did a tremendous job designing the interior, he points out that the true integrity of the home is what lies behind the walls. Rhett’s father and company founder, Randy Jeffcoat, has an extensive framing background, so an integral part of the company’s process is ensuring each home’s structure goes above and beyond local building codes and standards.

Randy was also a huge help to the couple when working through some of the challenges of the design since the ceiling vaults in the master bedroom and home office included abnormally steep pitches. “Having Randy assist us in the framing design and placement of HVAC was essential,” Rhett said. “He was able to maximize function without compromising the aesthetics Kaila was striving to achieve.”

While Kaila was the lead on the interior of the home, Rhett and Brown took the reins on the exterior, selecting a smooth stucco finish that required a crack suppressant underlayment instead of traditional stucco. They also added natural stone accents that carried into the foyer, creating an inviting transition as you enter the home. Rhett preferred to avoid corner boards, so he worked closely with the exterior trim crew to create woven corners, offering a fresh take on the commonly used siding material.

Rhett also committed to planning the pool area, locating it in the U-shape of the home to create privacy, buffer noise, and “allow for views to a TV no matter where you are.”

Kaila’s cozy design on the screened porch perfectly complements the outdoor pool area, with a sprawling layout that accommodates a large, secondary outdoor dining area that aligns with the living space. As a Washington State native, Kaila opted for a 48-inch Isokern Magnum woodburning fireplace over commonly seen gas units in homage to her childhood of roasting s’mores around summer campfires.

Even with all their careful planning, the couple was not immune to the Covid

Allowing for bountiful natural light, the foyer and gallery hallway showcase white-washed poplar ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, bringing the soft natural stone elements from the outside in, with a free floating bench, inviting to guests.

Playing off the simplistic yet sophisticated style, free-floating white oak shelves were used to display libations, with a darker stone top and paneled appliances to contrast the earthy, handmade tiles that span wall-to-wall.

With ample natural light, the wood beams and brass chandelier offer warm tones, while the leather, canvas and cane furniture pieces bring texture to the simplicity of the space, creating a posh oasis that feels airy.

delays that struck the supply industry. There were a handful of selections the couple had to reselect due to lack of availability or long lead times.

“We had to be flexible and make changes on the fly to accommodate delays or unavailable items,” Rhett said. “It takes a village to build a home, with a lot of coordination and communication along the way. I’m incredibly grateful for the team of subcontractors we’ve built over the years.”

He noted the industry has had some challenging years between supply chain breakdowns and navigating Covid, and that the loyalty of their subcontractors was essential to keeping jobs on track.

“Some of our subcontractors have been with us for over 35 years, and their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed,” Rhett said. “Through Covid, it was evident that the strong working relationships we have with them is what made their jobs for Randy Jeffcoat a priority.”

“While the process wasn’t always seamless, Rhett and I were good at pivoting when needed,” Kaila said. “We tried to look at the process through a positive lens, adopting the mantra of ‘Give Grace’ toward one another and the build which allowed us to roll with the punches. Trusting your builder, having fun with it, and being flexible makes the experience much more enjoyable, with the amazing reward of seeing the

Relaxation and luxury were in mind when designing the master bathroom space. The marble backsplash spans the vanity wall creating depth and proving complementary to stained cabinets, thick edge tops, and a concrete tub to truly create a spa-like feel from the moment you walk in.

home come to life before your eyes.”

As the couple settles into their new home and plans for what comes next, they are grateful to the dedicated team that helped build their home and noted the strong sense of community they’ve experienced in the short time living in Colleton River.

Building has always been in Rhett’s blood. After stepping through the front doors of the couple’s stunning new home, you may just find it’s in Kaila’s, too. 

ARTICLE BY CHERYL RICER

ALL IN THE FAMILY

CURRYCRETE IS FAMILY’S ANSWER TO EXPANDING AN ALREADY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

If locally owned, family-owned, and American-owned are adjectives that attract your attention when you’re shopping for companies to do business with, then you need to get to know CurryCrete, the newest division of the well-known family brand Lowcountry Paver. Their products are installed throughout the Lowcountry, including the schools your children attend, the streets you drive on, the parks where you play, the fire stations in your neighborhood, your grocery store, and maybe your or your neighbor’s driveway and firepit.

THE PAST

The Curry family moved to South Carolina in 2003 because Matthew Curry’s father, Thomas Curry, the president and CEO of Lowcountry Paver, purchased a concrete cinder block plant called Lowcountry Block. That company was losing money, yet Thomas Curry saw an opportunity to convert that plant to concrete hardscape manufacturing. He worked hard to educate himself, his sons, and his employees to build a market in the Southeast for hardscape products, including, driveway pavers, patio pavers, pool coping pavers, fireplaces and firepits, outdoor kitchens, and more.

In 2022, after taking that struggling cinder block plant and transforming it into a thriving paver business with upwards of 35 employees, Thomas Curry retired from Lowcountry Paver and handed over the reins to his sons, who are now running the business. But before he retired, he approved the plan to expand into the concrete ready-mix business, where CurryCrete will batch concrete in big mixer trucks and deliver that concrete to residential and commercial clients to accomplish a variety of projects.

THE PRESENT

“My dad taught us to aim high,” said Matthew Curry, co-owner of Lowcountry Paver and CEO of CurryCrete. “We’re starting CurryCrete with a fleet of five mixer trucks, and we expect to purchase five or six more by the end of this year.”

For residential projects, CurryCrete can do anything from providing concrete for a home foundation, concrete driveway, concrete sidewalks with pavers, concrete patios, pools, and pool decks.

“We already do a ton of commercial work at Lowcountry Paver,” Curry said. “Recently, in Charleston, we serviced the Credit One Stadium, where our product is used in their parking lot and courtyard area. CurryCrete will provide concrete for the foundations of large commercial projects, concrete parking lots, and concrete roads. We’ll be able to supply anything from family homes and businesses to Department of Transportation needs. We expect to become a turnkey company for pouring foundations, driveways, patios and anything exterior for a home or commercial building.”

THE FUTURE

With the addition of CurryCrete, the company will bring a dozen or more new jobs to the area and add about $25 million to the Lowcountry’s economy.

“We started this new company to be able to expand our paver division more quickly,” said Curry. With CurryCrete, we are excited to offer a new product within an industry we’re already very familiar with.”

The CurryCrete expansion will also mean more philanthropy for a family who is already to committed to local charities. “My dad also taught us the importance of giving back to our community and helping our neighbors,” Curry said. “We partner with local charities for special events, and we also assist animal rescue organizations in the area. We donate products if they’re looking to expand or donate funds to the company or foundation.”

It’s no wonder they take immense pride in their company, quality, and customer service. “Architects and engineers know the quality and durability of our products,” Curry said. “It’s for this reason that our products are specified on municipal and government projects, zoos, military bases, stadiums, colleges, malls, parks, shopping centers, roads and streetscapes throughout the Southeast. Lowcountry Paver products are everywhere, and soon, we project that Curry Crete will follow suit.” 

For more information, visit LCPaver.com.

Tom, Matthew and Christopher checking the height of the pavers to ensure a top quality product is being made.

Matthew in front of one of the new Terex mixer trucks

THE LOWCOUTRY GLOW WITH CONNIE SEWELL

SELECTING FIXTURES: SHAPES, SIZES AND STYLES

There are no real rules in lighting; the world is your oyster, so to speak. Be cautious regarding size, shape and height, but ultimately, your space, your choice.

EE veryone raves about the northern lights and the magnificence of their glow. It is a rare treat to see the aurora beaming down to Earth’s atmosphere. The scientific explanation of how the aurora presents itself is quite intriguing. If we had all day, we could get deep into the science behind it, but we don’t. So, let’s get into the lighting of the Lowcountry—the lighting found in homes and along the coast of Georgia and South Carolina.

It makes no difference if you have a charming bungalow or a sprawling mansion, the lighting in your home adds character and style, and quite frankly, can make or break a space. So, we are here to shine some light on this topic so you can let your lights shine.

A good rule of thumb for a hanging light fixture is to allow 30 to 36 inches between your table or counter and the bottom of the light fixture. A good rule of thumb for your fixture in sizing is about half to three-quarters the size of the table or island. You may also want to consider the bulkiness and transparency of a light fixture. You can go bigger with the light fixture (no more the threequarters) when the light is clear and see-through versus when a fixture is a material that blocks the view of a room or other art within the room.

Task lighting and other light sources in your home are just as important as the fixtures you choose, so always consider the opportunities a room offers and consider the functionality of the space and what it is used for before choosing your fixtures.

OUTDOOR LIGHTING: IT’S A VIBE.

Mood and ambiance are everything. A warm Edison bulb is the perfect lighting choice for your outdoor string lighting vibe. Drape it post to post or tree to tree to create a canopy of lights. Drape it along a wall or a fence, or anywhere you choose, just make sure you keep safety in mind when stringing lighting near pools and outdoor play areas. Your backyard will be the weekend destination if you play your lights right.

TRY SCONCES IN POWDER ROOMS INSTEAD OF OVERHEAD OR ABOVE MIRROR VANITY LIGHTING. SCONCES OFFER A SOFT LIGHT AND DON’T CAST SHADOWS.

Choose wisely because bulbs can change the mood, temperature and colors in your home. There are so many different bulbs on the market and so many variables when choosing the right bulb. LED, incandescent, halogen, and florescent bulbs are all still on the market, but LED is the most common.

Tips: K is for kelvin. Kelvins refer to the temperature, as in color. The higher the kelvin, the cooler (blue) the light omitted; the lower the kelvin, the warmer (yellow) the light. We have included a chart so you can get to know your kelvins. Lumens are another consideration. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light. Watts are different on an incandescent than on an LED—by a large margin. When you buy a fixture, consult with the salesperson to find the right bulb for your fixture and your space.

KELVIN CHART

Article by Barry Kaufman

Why Homeownership is ‘Terrific’ Right Now

One homeowner busts the myths surrounding the American dream

Ihave been a proud homeowner since 2006, when my wife and I agreed to let a very large bank own a house that we could live in so long as we paid them a lot of money. Flush with cash, thanks to selling our condo during the height of “the bubble,” we entered into homeownership with just enough equity to survive the investable bursting of said bubble just a few years later.

We survived the economic downturn with our heads mostly above water, despite the best efforts of our house to drain our savings. For example, one evening our home decided to attract a very large and expensive bolt of lightning into its various electrical components. I naively thought that the insurance I paid for every month would come in handy in this kind of situation but was crestfallen to discover that insurance isn’t actually that kind of business.

Instead, the very nice man at the very large faceless insurance corporation assured me that it was in my best interest to pay for the damages myself. He assured me that if I allowed my insurance company to pay for the damages, they would need to start charging me more to not help me.

The point is, homeownership has its challenges, and I won’t even go into DIY projects. Right now, that seems to be truer than ever. While we seem to have learned from the mistakes of the bubble, we can all agree that home prices have been acting suspiciously bubbly lately. And some insurance companies have stepped up their game by not even offering the kind of protections they used to. Meanwhile, literally one or two wizards actually know what’s going on with our tax bills. It’s a mess, frankly. So, I decided I’d go straight to the experts for answers.

Let’s start with what’s happening to home values. Even before the pandemic began, we were seeing a steady influx of new residents in our region from areas like the Midwest and the Northeast. That was nothing new on Hilton Head Island, but it was a growing trend across the Carolinas and into Florida. With the pandemic, however, that interest exploded.

And with greater demand came lighter supply, pushing prices higher.

And then the pandemic ended (probably). But housing

prices continued to climb around here, rising 15.2 percent year-over-year in Beaufort County. I asked Daniel Moskowitz, broker-in-charge at Dunes Real Estate, why that might be.

“Today, there are two factors fostering market conditions. These are demand and affordability, with supply being more of an outcome of the latter,” he said, noting that the influx of new interest broadened our local market’s appeal, creating its own effects. “This expanded market appeal, coupled with the last decade of wealth amassed among the retiring baby boomer generation, has delivered an affordability influence that has sustained the price pace of the local post-pandemic market for longer than most other U.S. locales.”

So, the market continues apace as if there were still a pandemic going, which has kept prices high. In and of itself, this tends to correct a market.

“Higher prices today remain the correction of the new profile of demand, but we cannot ignore the pressures from increasing carrying costs,” Moskowitz said. “In my near two decades of real estate experience in our market, I have been most surprised and saddened to encounter a number of our second-home property owners exiting because of the dramatic increase cost challenge to affordability.”

That cost challenge, Moskowitz noted, is amplified by owners of second homes seeing declining post-pandemic rental revenue from its ’21-’22 peak. That, coupled with rising insurance rates, suddenly makes that investment property less lucrative for second-home owners looking to cover their mortgage. This is especially true in the villa market.

“Pre-pandemic property owners that align closer to the ‘return on investment’ purist find today’s 30-50 percent increase in rental revenue over 2019’s to not

warrant the near doubling of monthly carrying costs over the same time,” Moskowitz said. “This is the most common catalyst for a seller to enter the market at this time, which has been offset by the new buyer who holds a greater value for personal use.”

So, what is it about this calendar year that made it suddenly so much more expensive to own a home?

Well, insurance, for one thing.

“I’ve been in the business for 30 plus years, and I’ve never seen it this bad,” said Steven Stauffer, managing executive/vice president with McGriff Insurance. “In 2022, we had 15 separate billion-dollar events across the United States, the last one being Ian, which was a 70-something-billiondollar storm. And when you consider what happened the year before, and the string of bad years before that, everything kind of came home to roost this year. Everybody pays for it. But a worse issue came when carriers started pulling out and shrinking their capacity.”

Insurance is a global business, and even if we’ve had a relatively light storm season, there have been hailstorms in the Midwest, wildfires in Hawaii, and several other natural disasters that have driven rates skyward. These external disasters carry a price tag that we all pay for. Stauffer pointed to one Hilton Head Island home he was aware of whose cost to insure recently went up nearly 60 percent. And that’s par for the course in our area.

He does have good news, however. Sort of.

“I think if we can get through this year and not really have any bad hurricanes, we’re not going to see rates go down next year,” he said. “But you’re not going to see those huge increases like we took this year.”

So when can we expect rates to go down?

“I’ve seen hard markets before; it’ll eventually turn and go the other way,” Stauffer said. “You’re already starting to see carriers wanting to come back in now, because they think they can get their rate…. I don’t think the rates are going to change. But that’s just the start. Typically, hard markets last a year or two. This one’s probably going to be at least three, and we’re in year one.”

So, we have a couple more years to go. In the meantime, we can only hope that rates go down across the board, home prices reach some kind of equilibrium, and we can all feel a little more comfortable in our own homes. So long as there aren’t any more storms. My house can’t handle any more lightning. 

DANIEL MOSKOWITZ, broker-in-charge at Dunes Real Estate

Roddy Lane and Doug Hoover

Article by Linda S. Hopkins Photography by M.Kat

The Art & Science of Stone Restoration

Master technicians Doug Hoover and Roddy Lane have the skills and experience to make natural stone look better than brand-new

Training is useful, but there is no substitute for experience.” The oft-quoted line from the 1963 James Bond film, From Russia With Love, applies to almost any situation requiring specialized skills. You can watch a You Tube video, read a textbook, attend a class, or even go to college, but becoming an expert in any field requires time and practice in the real world.

From hairdressing to heart surgery, nobody wants to take a chance on a disaster born of inexperience. And that’s what can happen to your expensive stone floor or those exquisite marble countertops when you hire the technician straight out of his three-day certification class.

What your stone surfaces need is a series of diamond grits used in the proper order by a master technician who is proficient in their use. Enter Doug Hoover and Roddy Lane of Stone Restore, with over 30 years of combined experience in the industry.

“The process of cutting stone is multi-tiered,” Hoover said. “All stone is different, and over many years, you build the skill to read and listen to the stone. The stone talks to you; it makes a sound when it is cutting properly, and it all has to do with the particular grits you’re using. We have a plethora of tools … many different grits of diamond products and diamond powders. There are a million combinations you can use to get a floor to shine, and it’s knowing what that recipe is.”

When Hoover and Lane begin a job, the first day is what they call discovery, where they take a small section of the floor and “decide what it wants.” They do a test spot and interpret what the floor can do based on the Mohs Hardness Scale. “Different diamonds react very differently to the hardness level of the stone. Some will actually do damage. But that same diamond on a different stone will do a perfect cut,” Hoover explained.

Hoover and Lane make adjustments as they feel and hear what the stone is doing underneath the diamond, recording the grit numbers and rotation numbers to get what they call a prescription. “The skill level to be able to do that is very elusive,” Hoover said. “It takes many, many years.”

According to Hoover, there are places you can go and pay someone to train you to do this, but all they do is train you on the products they want to sell. “When you go to school, they have a few pieces of stone for you to work on. They know exactly what the process is to work on that particular stone because it is a test piece in a classroom situation. That is the exact opposite of the skill level you need,” he said.

“And there are so many other issues you’re confronted with from job to job,” Lane added. “It’s more than reading the directions on a box of diamond powder.” DO YOUR STONE SURFACES NEED SOME LOVE?

If you’ve invested in stone floors or countertops, you know they can get abraded, etched, stained, or otherwise damaged, thus looking tired and lackluster. Hoover and Lane can bring all your surfaces back to life, making them look not only like new, but better.

“You invest in stone because it can be maintained. Natural stone can always be made new,” Hoover said. “Once we’ve done your floor, there is no reason you can’t have a perfect floor for the life of the house.”

Periodic tune-ups are recommended, and repairs can be made easily. “If you have an accident—say drop the pickle jar or spill wine—we can fix it like that,” Lane said with a snap of his fingers.

“You live in your home. You’re going to mess up your floors,” Hoover added. “But just know that five years down the road, you will need a kitchen tune-up. We can bounce you back to brand-new in an hour to an hour and a half, and you’re ready to go for another five years. All I have to do is match my prescription, and we keep a record of that.”

GET TO KNOW THE TEAM

When you hire Stone Restore, you can be assured that Hoover and Lane will be there personally to do your job. It is a two-man operation, and they keep it that way for the sake of quality and consistency. They don’t have a showroom, a website, or an Instagram account. What they have is the passion and pride that ensures superior work.

Both Hoover and Lane served in the Marines prior to going into business. After retiring from the military and before opening his own floor restoration business, Hoover worked for Grainger Industrial Supply. At the time, he owned a home in Hilton Head Plantation with travertine floors he hated because they had not been maintained. He began investigating how to restore them and realized nobody else was doing this. He had found a niche.

His original business was First Floor, specializing in VCT. But as he began seeing more and more stone floors in homes, he narrowed his focus and, for the last 16 years, has strictly been restoring stone.

Lane moved to the area from Tallahassee, Fla., where he met his wife Melissa, a dedicated schoolteacher. While looking for business opportunities in the Lowcountry, he met Hoover at a local restaurant, and the two marines hit it off immediately. “Doug brought me on to do a nightmare job, stripping Saltillo (Mexican tile). Then we started getting into more stone. I stuck with him, and I’m still here,” Lane said. That was 17 years ago.

The two are perfectly matched for the work they do, Hoover said. “Roddy has an enormous eye for detail. He gets a handle on it very early on, which

Hoover and Lane can bring all your surfaces back to life, making them look not only like new, but better.

makes our efficiency so much better. We have many complementary attributes.”

Hoover and Lane are the most respected stone restorers in the area. (Ask your neighbors or ask for references.) They were also recently hired to restore the massive stone floors in the F-35 hangar at the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort. Joining a government contract and getting through the clearance process was a big feather in their cap, Hoover said. “It was a beautiful marble terrazzo floor, but it was in unbelievably bad shape. We made it look brand-new.”

In addition, they have been doing historical work in Beaufort and, most recently, a centuries-old home in Savannah. “It takes a certain level of confidence to bring someone into a situation like that. It’s more than just fixing a floor. It’s respecting that this is a very delicate home. You have to be very careful, and you have to know what you’re doing,” Hoover said.

Stone restoration is truly an art and a science. If you are looking for expert service with no mess and minimal disruption to your life (they move all the furniture and put it back exactly where they found it at the end of the day), and if you appreciate professionals who show up on time, you will love Hoover and Lane. “We are totally committed to making it a no- to low-stress experience,” Hoover said. “And we are never late— ever.” 

To schedule your complimentary consultation, call Stone Restore at (843) 422-6799.

Article by Barry Kaufman . Photography by M.Kat

CLUB CAR:

Driving the State of Mind

When you look around you, the signs are everywhere. In the Old Town Bluffton Promenade, where one end of the wide green space previously served as a somewhat thinning patch of parking for golf carts once stood, there are now actual spaces reserved for our battery-powered rides. When Oscar Frazier Park’s famed Field of Dreams was given a recent facelift, it included brand-new spots right on Pin Oak Street for carts. These signs all point to one thing: Golf carts (and their more upscale cousins, golf cars) have taken over Old Town Bluffton.

Of course, they’ve always been the vehicle of choice for residents of Old Town, not to mention Sun City, Palmetto Bluff and essentially every gated community in town. It’s just that, a few years ago, a lot of us found ourselves with disposable stimulus money and a sudden lack of vacation plans. When that perfect storm happened, we snapped up every golf car we could get our hands on.

In fact, if you visited the Club Car of Hilton Head showroom at the height of the pandemic, you might have been surprised by a noticeable lack of … well, almost everything. We, as a town, literally bought everything in stock.

“Coming out of COVID, it was super hard to get anything,” said Annie Andrews, who owns Club Car of Hilton Head along with her husband Ben. “Now we’re fully stocked up on new cars, plus parts are easier to get. So, we’re returning to normal.”

She’s only partially right. Walk into Club Car today, and you’ll see the same glittering array of high-end, family-friendly and tricked-out cars that once lined the sales floor in the days before COVID. But you’ll also find that Club Car has left “normal” behind, adding some new models that will turn heads no matter where you park.

Among them is a fleet of slick new vehicles that are redefining what a golf cart can be, literally and figuratively.

(from left to right, top to bottom) Club Car of Hilton Head owners Becky, Mac, Ben and Annie Andrews; Andy Santiago aligns an Onward; A line of brand new golf cars arrives in Bluffton; Parts and Rental Manager Clif Rogers; Craig Morrison works on a gas-powered Club Car

Literally, in the sense that many of them are classified as Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs), offering greater speed and safety features than traditional golf cars. But figuratively, in the way they change the entire experience.

Part of the Garia line of golf cars, a brand purchased by Club Car just a few years ago, these stunning LSVs speak to a growing trend that drives luxury ever forward. “It’s like the next level of luxury golf cart,” Annie said. “They have refrigerators, backup cameras, heated windshields with wipers … it’s pretty much a luxury car.”

Not only do these Garia carts elevate the experience of traversing Bluffton at 25 mph with high-end sophistication and comfort, but they pack a high-tech new advancement under the hood. Having moved

past traditional acid batteries to longer lasting lithium batteries, these cars are pushing the technological envelope even as they redefine the experience.

“Lithium is the future of golf cart batteries,” Annie said. “They have a much longer range, don’t require monthly maintenance, and are warrantied for up to six years. And the technology is just getting better and better.”

Between Club Car’s gorgeous and reliable golf cars including the ultra-luxurious Garia lineup of golf cars and LSVs, we’re watching the evolution of the golf car happen in real time at the Bluffton showroom. As a way of getting around, it’s evolved from a cheap and easy alternative to driving our cars everywhere to a true statement of class, elegance and style. As a technology, it has advanced alongside the growing adoption of electric vehicles.

But at the Bluffton-based Club Car of Hilton Head, one thing hasn’t changed. “This is the brand you know and the family you know and trust,” Annie said. “We want everyone’s experience here to be positive. We’re with you not just the day you buy your golf car, but as long as you have it in your garage.”

Club Car of Hilton Head offers a variety of golf cars, including the luxurious LSV’s by Garia.

That positive experience starts with a no-pressure sales environment in the showroom then continues with an open-door policy that never expires. If you get a flat, if you— let’s say hypothetically—run your golf car into a mailbox, they’re right there to take care of you.

Because ultimately, everyone at Club Car is experiencing the same Bluffton State of Mind as you are. And they understand that living that state of mind means enjoying peace of mind that your golf car will be there for your next trip down Calhoun Street.

“We want to be the official transportation of the Bluffton State of Mind,” Annie said. “We have the inventory now. We have a greater selection of amazing golf cars than we’ve ever had, and we’re ready when you are.” 

To learn more, visit clubcarhhi.com.

The Club Car of Hilton Head Team

Article by Barry Kaufman . Photography by M.Kat

Beyond the Course

For 12-year-old Maya Singh, the greatest lessons learned at First Tee are the ones that carry on long after the round is over.

Maya Singh doesn’t really remember when she played golf for the first time. However, it’s a near certainty that her first visit to the links was spurred on by her mother, Lory Lachapelle. Along with Maya’s little sister, they have regular nine-hole tee times at Palmetto Dunes, where Lachapelle passes along the gift of golf she gained playing in college.

“My mom is really good,” Singh said. “She usually wins, but that was before I started practicing every day. Now I feel like I’ve gotten a lot better.”

That’s a bit of an understatement. The young Maya Singh may not remember the first time she picked up a club, but she sure remembers her first experience with First Tee – The Lowcountry. “I’d been practicing with Mom, but we wanted real lessons. We went over there, and it was so fun, I just kept going,” she said. Four years later, that hasn’t changed. “Even now that I’m more advanced, it’s still so much fun to practice there, and the volunteers are amazing.”

When she talks about her time with First Tee, she paints a picture of an organization that gives these kids everything they need to succeed. Individual instruction from coaches like Coach Trudy comes paired with feedback and help from a bevy of volunteers who help kids break down every aspect of their game and sharpen every skill. She talks about the friendship she shares with her fellow students and the memories they’ve built together on the course.

And she’ll tell you about how those years of practice have paid off. Currently enrolled in middle school, Singh has shown herself to be one of the island’s most adept young golfers, earning a spot on the team at Hilton Head Island High School.

“The whole team has been so welcoming. I’m kind of like the little sister of the group, but everyone is treated equally,” she said. And while she doesn’t always qualify for every tournament, she’s still a vital part of the team while gaining tremendous experience. “I’m really thankful to have this opportunity now, so when I’m in high school, I’ll be set up to be a good player.”

The chance to play at the high school level while still a middle school student is not the only opportunity that has been presented to Singh, thanks to her diligence and her time at First Tee – The Lowcountry. “First Tee has opened so many doors— volunteering with the RBC Heritage, helping out with AJGA Tournaments—and now I’m on the high school team, and it’s all because of First Tee,” Singh said.

As a young golf fan, the opportunity to be a standard bearer was unforgettable. “It was a really cool experience,” she said. “I remember walking down the fairway and seeing people waiting at the next hole to get Matt Kuchar’s autograph. Usually, I’m the one outside asking for autographs, so it was interest to be inside the ropes.” And for the record, she still got Kuchar to sign a hat.

While her four years practicing at First Tee – The Lowcountry have taught Singh plenty about the game of golf and created many opportunities for her, the lessons beyond the game are among the best gifts the organization has given her.

“It’s not only golf. There are so many life lessons—cooperation, honesty, sportsmanship…. At the beginning of each lesson, they’ll talk about how to do a handshake or give you some reading that helps you stay cool even if you hit a bad shot,” Singh said. “It’s about being honest and polite in life. You always think about those lessons. You use them every second of the day.”

And it’s those life lessons that she says have the greatest impact on her, no matter where life takes her. Few 12-year-olds know for sure exactly how the future will shape up, but for Singh, she sees golf remaining a large part of her journey. If it takes her to a professional level, so be it. Otherwise, she’ll just pursue her aspirations to be a doctor when she grows up while spending her downtime on the course.

“I think the biggest lessons I’ll remember are being honest and showing good sportsmanship. You have to do that every day, so I think those will stick,” she said. “It’s important to actually take those lessons and those core values and put them into action.”

To learn more about First Tee – The Lowcountry, visit firstteelowcountry.org.

While her four years practicing at First Tee – The Lowcountry have taught Maya Singh plenty about the game of golf and created many opportunities for her, the lessons beyond the game are among the best gifts the organization has given her.

TOWN EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL SMALL AND MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES

The Town of Hilton Head Island regularly requests bids for a diverse range of services including project consulting, landscape maintenance, custodial work, catering, drone operations, engineering, road work, technology upgrades, and more. Like any business, we seek vital services to sustain operations, manage facilities, and strategize community initiatives. We aim to support local enterprises and give them an equal chance to bid for town contracts.

Acknowledging the challenges certain businesses face, especially small and minority-owned enterprises, in obtaining government contracts, Town Council instituted a policy to foster greater diversity and inclusivity in contracting opportunities within the town. The policy underscores the town’s dedication to engaging and increasing involvement from these businesses, particularly those on Hilton Head Island.

We define small and minority-owned disadvantaged businesses as those wherein at least 51 percent of ownership and management lies with one or more U.S. citizens (or lawfully admitted permanent residents) who identify as Black, African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian American, Indian American, or a woman. The town values the significant contribution of these small and minority-owned businesses to the community’s economic prosperity and overall welfare. Town Council’s objective is to facilitate an inclusive procurement process, ensuring that these entities are informed about contracting opportunities with the town.

For businesses to participate in this initiative and work with us, they must hold a valid business license from the town and certification as small and minority-owned through relevant federal or state agencies offering such designations.

THE DRCI GROWTH PROGRAM: GROWING WITH BLUFFTON

Si nce 2012, the Don Ryan Center for Innovation (DRCI) has been a stalwart supporter of local enterprises. Over the years, it has extended its assistance to over 300 companies, demonstrating its commitment to the community. Notably, more than 70 of these enterprises have become participants in our structured programs: STARTUP and GROWTH. Of particular intrigue is our GROWTH program, a recent addition spanning merely three years. This initiative is tailored for well-established and prosperous companies that have operated for multiple years. Success, however, does not equate to complacency; continuous advancement remains imperative for sustained prosperity.

Initially, the anticipation was that about three companies annually would join the GROWTH program. Our projection presumed a greater influx into the STARTUP program, given the constant emergence of new ventures. While this assumption holds validity, it is with immense satisfaction that we reveal the number of GROWTH-affiliated enterprises has more than doubled our initial estimation.

This is a testament to the flourishing commerce in Bluffton and its environs. As these businesses expand, their requisites evolve, necessitating fresh approaches, refined skill sets, and innovative methodologies. They seek mentors with adeptness in managing business expansion, and the Don Ryan Center for Innovation steps in to fulfill this role.

A Note from Hilton Head Island Mayor, Alan Perry

A Note from Bluffton Mayor, Lisa Sulka

Photography by M.Kat

Photography by Krisztian Lonyai

To help spur participation among business owners interested in securing contracts with the town, we are hosting an information session on Thursday, October 26, at 6 p.m., at the Island Recreation Center, 20 Wilborn Road. Rich Groth, our procurement officer, will provide insights into doing business with the town. Additionally, Johnny Burch, a representative from the South Carolina Division of Small and Minority Business Contracting and Certification, will explain the certification process and highlight the advantages of holding this designation. Please save the date and join us for this essential program. Should you have any questions before the event, contact our procurement officer at (843) 341-4711 or RichG@hiltonheadislandsc.gov. 

Many of the firms in the GROWTH program boast recognizable names. Several of these, with roots in Bluffton spanning decades, were once the endeavors of solitary individuals. The growth these entities have experienced is a testament to the dedication, investment, and hard work of these pioneers. In parallel to the Town of Bluffton, these companies have outpaced their own expectations, a phenomenon that is often considered a welcome challenge.

Yet, it’s essential to recognize that even favorable challenges warrant attention. In other words, even a “good problem” is a problem. This perspective may elude those who haven’t trod the entrepreneurial path. It’s easy to assume that managing such challenges will be enjoyable, but in truth, seeking assistance becomes vital in navigating them. This is where the Don Ryan Center for Innovation becomes an indispensable asset.

Drawing upon over a decade of collaboration with numerous companies, the DRCI boasts a staff and mentor pool comprised of seasoned entrepreneurs. Many among them have steered their own businesses for extensive periods. Their collective expertise provides invaluable guidance for companies on a trajectory of GROWTH. When navigating uncharted territories, the presence of an experienced guide is reassuring. Whether encountering unforeseen expansion, operational complexities, market entry, service diversification, succession planning, or other multifaceted challenges—the “good problems”—the Don Ryan Center for Innovation stands ready to provide significant support.

For more insights, visit donryancenter. com and embark on a journey toward fortified growth. 

A Note from Lisa Sulka continued

ARTICLE BY JESSE BLANCO

SAVANNAH FOOD CRAWLS

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE BOOKSTORE...

If you are keeping score at home (and I realize only a few of you are), then you probably know I wrote a book in 2022—my first of what I hope will be many. I’ve since written a second book, and there is a third in the works. But for now, I have this one—almost literally in my hands. It’s called Savannah Food Crawls, and I’d like to think it is one of the best resources ever put together on Savannah’s ever-evolving food scene.

I mention a funny thing happening on the way to the bookstore because this book, believe it or not, caught me by surprise. I had a chat back in June with my publisher who told me the book would be released in April or May of 2024. By that math, it would be a year behind schedule. Deflating to say the least.

On September 1, I got a text from a friend in Tampa. She had just pre-ordered my book on Amazon. “How could that be?” I asked. “It’s not out until spring.”

Long story very short, it was a misunderstanding. Savannah Food Crawls was released on October 1.

WHAT IT IS

I wish I could take credit for the idea, but it was not mine. Globe Pequot (the publisher) produces a series of books across America about food-centric cities. They have Portland, Oregon Food Crawls, Austin Food Crawls, Philadelphia Food Crawls, and others. Savannah was their latest at the time. I have since written one about Charleston as well.

For this book, I was tasked with curating 13-15 “walkabouts” throughout Downtown Savannah’s Historic District. Not all of Savannah’s best food and drink is located there, but it is fair to say most of it is. So, how does someone who isn’t familiar digest it all? Pun intended.

I hid myself in a hotel room in St. Petersburg, Florida during the summer of 2022 to figure out how to break Savannah into sections. There were maps and lists everywhere. It was my job to break it all down.

There is a River Street Crawl and a Bay Street Crawl. There is a guide to City Market and a tour of Bull Street—Savannah’s main walking corridor. There is a tour of the up-and-coming Starland District, and there is a comprehensive list of Savannah’s rooftop venues. It’s all there in one book.

Within those crawls are suggestions on where to stop for a bite or a sip and why. The book is three parts food, two parts drink, and one part history. The manuscript is sprinkled with historic tidbits of interest as well as some of those “hidden gems” that so many people are eagerly in search of.

One thing you won’t find in this book is fine dining. I can’t say it was forbidden by my publisher, but it was discouraged. Their Food Crawl series is aimed at being affordable and approachable. Do I mention places like The Olde Pink House and The Grey? Well, of course I do. Those are a must in any food guide to Savannah. But I worked them into the fabric of a proper crawl, giving readers an idea of not only where they are located within Savannah’s Historic District, but also how you can absolutely enjoy them on a budget.

HOW CAN YOU GET YOUR HANDS ON ONE?

As I mentioned, they are available via Amazon delivered to your door. Beyond that, we are scheduling several signings and celebratory dinners in the area between now and Christmas and into 2024. Right now, I can tell you there will be a signing at Burnt Church Distillery in Bluffton and a dinner at Pomodori on Hilton Head Island, dates are TBA. There will be more. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone.

And speaking of Christmas, this book would make an excellent Christmas gift for anyone you know who enjoys visiting Savannah or will be visiting Savannah sometime soon. How do I know? Well, clearly there is bias involved, however… About 4-5 months after I turned the book in, I was sent a file to go over it one last time to make any final changes. I printed the entire 200- plus pages and sat at my desk meticulously going through every syllable with fresh eyes. When I was done, I smiled and thought, yup, it’s all there. So obviously I’m very proud of this thing. I think you will enjoy it, and at the very least, I know you will Eat It and Like It. 

Jesse Blanco’s new book, Savannah Food Crawls, is now available for purchase.

Article

Beaufort MeMorial opens first facility on Hilton Head Island

NON-PROFIT HOSPITAL ACQUIRES ISLAND IMAGING

When you step into Beaufort Memorial’s Island Imaging Center on the north end of Hilton Head Island, you are immediately greeted by smiling staff members and a comfortable, welcoming environment. In other words, exactly what thousands of the center’s patients have long been accustomed to experiencing—and one that will continue under new ownership with Beaufort Memorial, which takes effect October 1.

“When we moved to this center in 2013, we had a vision for what type of practice we wanted to have and how we wanted our staff and our patients to feel about the care we provided,” said Dr. Patricia Shapiro, who founded and

co-owned the practice with partner Dr. David Estle.

“We also knew there was a need to provide high-quality and customercentered services to physicians and patients,” Estle said. “So that’s what we focused on delivering.”

The two doctors concentrated on providing state-of-the-art technology and services to meet the needs of the providers and residents of Hilton Head Island. Today, the center offers a full range of screening and diagnostic imaging services, including 3D mammography, computed tomography (CT) for cardiac and lung screenings, and fluoroscopy to detect gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, they offer the area’s only ultrasound-guided elastography, a noninvasive screening for early liver disease and cirrhosis.

“We both lived in Hilton Head, and we wanted to be good neighbors to our community and to the local physicians,”

by Courtney McDermott . Photography by Susan McCann

It was a priority for Drs. Estle and Shapiro that any potential partner retained and took good care of their employees.

Beaufort Memorial Island Imaging Center, located at 40 Palmetto Parkway, offers a full range of screening and diagnostic imaging services, including computed tomography (CT) and 3D mammography.

Shapiro said.

In line with that sense of community, they created a relationship with Volunteers in Medicine (VIM), a not-forprofit medical clinic with offices in Hilton Head and Bluffton that provides free and low-cost care to the community’s most vulnerable patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

In the 10 years prior to joining Beaufort Memorial, Island Imaging provided more than $1 million in free mammograms—2,000 of them—as well as reduced cost imaging services, to patients in Hilton Head and Bluffton. That type of relationship aligns with the nature of partnerships Beaufort Memorial has with Good Neighbor Medical Clinic and AccessHealth Lowcountry in Beaufort. Each year, patients of those two nonprofits receive nearly 250 free imaging procedures from Beaufort Memorial, among many other services.

“One of the first meetings we had after announcing the acquisition of Island Imaging was with the leadership at VIM,” said Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley. “Community partnerships that work toward our goals of improving the quality of life and overall health in the Lowcountry are very important to us.” Enter Beaufort Memorial Hospital

Over the past year, Drs. Shapiro and Estle began soliciting and interviewing interested buyers for Island Imaging. “We had a very specific list of criteria for any potential owner, and we were not going to waiver on any part of it,” Estle said.

Among the list of requirements: retaining and taking good care of their 15 employees; honoring the existing contract with VIM with no changes in services; and,

maintaining the practice at its current location, as-is, for the convenience of local patients.

“We met with several potential buyers, but none of them shared our vision and our values,” Shapiro said. “We weren’t in a hurry, nor did we need to sell to anyone, so we took our time to find the right fit.”

The two partners emphasized their desire to preserve the things that make their practice special, and what that meant in terms of how they viewed each potential suitor. Most important was choosing a partner who supported their mission and would continue to honor the years-long relationships Estle and Shapiro have nurtured among providers, patients and their employees while expanding care to meet the ever-growing needs of island residents.

“Drs. Shapiro and Estle contacted us about their interest in partnering with us. We were happy to answer that call,”

Beaufort Memorial President & CEO Russell Baxley with Island Imaging founders David Estle, M.D. and Patricia Shapiro, M.D.

Baxley said. “We saw that our mission and values aligned perfectly, and we were eager to make it happen.”

In terms of meeting the needs of the growing population both on and off the island, both parties agree that there is still much work to be done. “We have excellent physicians on the island, but there are not enough to provide care for all the area residents. As the population has grown, the number of providers has not kept up,” Shapiro said. “We have watched Beaufort Memorial’s growth and their commitment to bringing more providers and services to the community, and we want that for our patients, friends and neighbors.”

Baxley is no stranger to meeting the health care needs of growing communities. “In general, we know there is a shortage of primary care,” he said. “And as you can see from the number of new Beaufort Memorial providers we’ve announced recently, we’ve been working hard to expand primary care and specialty care—especially cancer care. We know this is important to everyone, including the residents of Hilton Head Island.”

Shapiro is optimistic that the supportive and collaborative nature of their relationships combined with Beaufort Memorial’s reputation and resources will translate into more and better care for the entire community. “I hope Island Imaging is a seed to allow Beaufort Memorial to expand into the community and augment the care that is being provided here,” she said.

“We’re honored and excited to have the team at Island Imaging in the Beaufort Memorial family,” Baxley said. “This is a solid first step toward expanding access and services for Hilton Head Island providers and their patients.” 

To learn more about Beaufort Memorial Island Imaging Center, visit BeaufortMemorial.org/IslandImaging. To schedule an appointment, call (843) 522-5015.

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.

In a world where people are more likely to a leave a review after a negative hotel experience than after an exceptional one, celebrating employees who exceed expectations is a must. At Marriott Vacations Worldwide, the company’s Way to Go program recognizes associates who are specifically named in guest surveys for going above and beyond their normal job roles and responsibilities.

Interestingly, out of more than 21,000 associates globally, the top two Way to Go honorees work at Hilton Head Island resorts. Wilma Clark, front desk lead at Marriott’s Heritage Club, and Rosa Delgado, front desk lead at Marriott’s SurfWatch, have both received 500 or more Way to Go positive guest comments over the course of their careers, making them Diamond Honorees, the top honor of the program. Of MVW’s more than 21,000 associates globally, Clark and Delgado lead the company with more than 1,800 Way to Go awards each. Clark has been with the company for more than 33 years; Delgado will celebrate her sixteenth anniversary in September. Both women credit MVW’s supportive culture for their commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences.

VIVID Gallery will host the second annual “Fun with the Fox,” a special evening of art, music, food and fun to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation to find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.

The event, scheduled for Wednesday, October 18, 6:309:30 p.m., in the plaza at The Shops at Sea Pines Center, will feature the music of local favorites Deas-Guyz. Lowcountry Produce will serve complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and wine and beer will be available for purchase. Tickets are $50 and are available at FunWithTheFox.com.

The Sea Pines Resort has won three recent awards, solidifying its position as one of the finest golf destinations in the world. First, the resort has been named one of the “Top 100 Resorts in the World” by GOLF Magazine, one of only 28 domestic resorts to receive this recognition. Second, Tim Cooke, director of instruction at The Sea Pines Resort’s Golf Learning Center, has been named one of GOLF Magazine’s “Top 100 Teachers in America for 2024-2025.” Third, Harbour Town Golf Links has been recognized as one of the “Top 10 Walking Courses in America” by Golf Pass, a Golf Channel brand.

For more information about The Sea Pines Resort and its award-winning offerings, please visit seapines.com.

Long time locals and food and beverage veterans Lauren Jordan and Tracy Wilson have partnered with talented Chef Adolph Aguilar to bring you Cactus Street Cantina in Main Street Village. Delicious Mexican food and margaritas now available Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Wilma Clark

Rosa Delgado

Mingle with some of the Lowcountry’s cutest and most eligible dogs at the second annual Mutt Mixer concert event, supporting pet rescue, Thursday, October 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at AutoNation Subaru Hilton Head.

Guests will enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, beverages, door prizes, live music by the bluegrass band “Lowcountry Boil,” and new this year, professional portraits of your dog with a minimum donation to Palmetto Animal League. As always, the party is “BYOD” (Bring Your Own Dog) as AutoNation Subaru Hilton Head is a dog-friendly dealership. For those hoping to find their next great love at the event, fee-waived pet adoptions will be available, made possible through a generous grant from the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). The first 100 people to arrive at the Mutt Mixer with a donation of pet supplies or cash, valued at $20 or more, for PAL will receive a free event T-shirt.

Attendees may RSVP to be eligible for door prizes at muttmixer2023.eventbrite.com. As another way to support PAL’s no-kill animal rescue programs, AutoNation Subaru Hilton Head will donate $100 to PAL for every dog or cat adopted in October.

Watterson Brands is pleased to announce that home furnishings and interior design firm Bespoke Abode opened its doors to Lowcountry clients at 14 Promenade St., in downtown Bluffton on September 21. Founded by Martha’s Vineyard Interior Design Principal and Design Director Liz Stiving-Nichols, the flagship Bespoke Abode boutique opened in Vineyard Haven, Mass. in 2011.

Bespoke Abode features high-end furniture, home décor, accessories, lighting, floor coverings, and custom window treatments inspired by coastal lifestyles.

Martha’s Vineyard Interior Design and Bespoke Abode currently have three high-profile design projects in Bluffton and on Hilton Head Island. Burnt Church Distillery opened its doors in March of 2021, and The Bank, Hilton Head’s Beer Garden was unveiled to the public in June of this year. Both projects have been celebrated for their interiors and impeccable attention to detail. The highly anticipated Ma’ Daisy’s Porch, a complex dedicated to the celebration of Gullah culture and tradition, is slated for completion in early 2025.

Contemporary abstract mixedmedia artist Pat McGreevey will exhibit her paintings in Tangled Up in Hues, on view at Art League of Hilton Head this October. McGreevey’s work, characterized by vibrant color combinations, contrasting shapes, and deep dimensions, depicts the world through a lovingly fragmented lens that conveys sheer energy and emotion.

In conjunction with the exhibit, Art League is offering a one-day workshop with the artist entitled “Contemporary Abstract Art: Letting Loose,” suited to beginner and intermediate students interested in learning to become more confident in taking chances in their work. The class is $100 ($90 for Art League members), with a $20 supply fee, and will take place October 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tangled Up in Hues is open October 3-November 3. An artist’s reception will be held Wednesday, October 11, 5-7 p.m. McGreevey will hold a demo of her work on Friday, October 13, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. The exhibit, reception, and demo are all free and open to the public.

Follow the Leader

Sunset Blues

The Town of Hilton Head Island’s Office of Cultural Affairs and the Arts Council of Hilton Head are thrilled to announce the Sixth Annual Crescendo Celebration of Arts & Culture, scheduled to take place from October 7 to November 18. This regional event, dedicated to October’s National Arts and Humanities Month, serves as a vibrant showcase for the rich tapestry of arts, culture, and history on Hilton Head Island. It spotlights the talents of numerous arts and culture organizations, individual artists, performers, and authors who call Hilton Head Island home. The previous year’s Crescendo celebration featured an impressive lineup of over 100 unique arts and cultural programs and drew a diverse audience of more than 10,000 attendees from across the United States, Canada, and even parts of Europe.This year’s Crescendo promises an array of signature events, including:

Tuesday, October 10 (4:30-6 p.m.): The Annual Crescendo Community Celebration, offering live music, storytelling, and exhibitions by artists and cultural organizations at Shelter Cove Community Park. A special guest performance by the Maharajah Flamenco Trio will also be featured.

Friday, October 20 (7:30 p.m.): The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra presents Symphony Under the Stars at Lowcountry Celebration Park.

Wednesday, October 25 & Thursday, October 26: The Historic Mitchelville Film Festival at Coligny Theatre in Coligny Plaza.

Now through October 29: Clue at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina.

Throughout Crescendo: The Intricate Oceans: Coral in Contemporary Art exhibition at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn.

Saturday, November 18: The Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade, a captivating and delightful procession along South Forest Beach, culminating at Lowcountry Celebration Park

Stay up updated on all events by signing up for the Culture HHI newsletter at CultureHHI.org.

The Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton will host the second annual cycling fundraising event called “Bike Bluffton” on Sunday, November 5. In 2022, the inaugural Bike Bluffton event drew 310 riders and raised $65,000 to benefit the club. The 2023 Bike Bluffton event is expected to draw 400 riders and raise $75,000.

The rides will start at staged times, the earliest and longest beginning at 7:30 a.m. The start and finish will be at The Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton (100 H.E. McCracken Circle, Bluffton). After the riding event, participants and the families will enjoy food, music, and activities at the club. An event T-shirt is included in the registration fee.

Registration is $75 per person, or there is a $50 familyfriendly ride for up to five family members. An option to “Ride 4 A Kid” for $300 is also available, with a specific club member’s name on the rider’s jersey, which is included in the Ride 4 A Kid program.

Follow the Facebook page and Instagram account at @ bikebluffton for real-time updates on the event.

The Seabrook of Hilton Head’s staff continue to work with a leading not-for-profit organization, LeadingAge South Carolina. An affiliate of its national partner, LeadingAge National, LeadingAge South Carolina works to ensure that long-term care will continue to meet the needs of older Americans.

According to Chris Romick, The Seabrook of Hilton Head’s executive director, LeadingAge South Carolina’s member communities include life plan communities, assisted living communities, skilled nursing facilities, affordable housing, home- and community-based services, home health, and more. Member communities are sponsored by private, community and religious organizations and share a common commitment to provide quality care and services to older adults. Romick recently began his service on the LeadingAge South Carolina Board of Directors.

Peter Marshall, administrator of The Seabrook of Hilton Head’s Fraser Health Center, has been recognized for serving on the LeadingAge South Carolina Board of Directors for the past four years and has completed his role with the board. For more information about LeadingAge South Carolina, please go to leadingagesc.org. For more information about The Seabrook of Hilton Head, please visit theseabrook.com.

Get ready for a thrilling musical adventure that will keep you guessing and grooving in your seats! Hilton Head Island High School proudly presents Clue: The Musical by Peter DePietro and Tom Chiodo, brought to life by the students of HHIHS’s Seahawk Stage Company.

Step into the world of mystery and merriment as iconic characters from the classic board game come alive on stage. This is not your average whodunit; it’s a full-blown musical extravaganza that will have you tapping your toes and flexing your deduction skills. With a PG-13 rating, Clue: The Musical guarantees edge-of-yourseat suspense, hilarious antics, and unexpected twists. This spectacular show is open to the public, so invite your friends, family, and fellow sleuths to join the fun.

Performances will be held October 6 & 7 and 13 & 14 at 7 p.m., as well as matinee performances on October 8 & 15 at 2 p.m.

The Seahawk Cultural Center at 70 Wilborn Road is where the action unfolds—a venue that promises comfortable seating and excellent acoustics for a top-notch theater experience.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased at the door or online at www.hhihstheatre.org.

< Chris Romick and Peter Marshall

JEEP ISLAND

Hampton Inn and the Island Recreation Association present Hilton Heads biggest Jeep event Oct. . For more visit jeepisland.org.

FISH AND GRITS

MUSIC FEST

Oct. 7, 12-6PM Lowcountry Celebration Park.

GAME DAYS AT FRASER’S TAVERN

Every Sunday from 1-4PM. For more seapines.com/events.

HALLOWEEN

WAGON RIDES

Oct. 21 & 28, starting at 10AM. Call 843-842-1979 for more information.

FOREST PRESERVE

WAGON JOURNEY

Mondays, 3:304:30PM at Heritage Farm in Sea Pines.

BOB MASTELLER’S JAZZ FOR ALL AGES JAZZ FEST

Oct. 29 & 30 at the Sonesta Resort. For more call 843-480-9101 or visit

KOMOS TEQUILA DINNER

From 6:30-8:30PM, Join us for a night of indulgence at the Sea Pines Beach Club! For more seapines.com.events

CLUE THE MUSICAL

October 6-15 at The Seahawk Cultural Center. For more visit hhistheatre.org

TAP TAKEOVER AT FRASER’S TAVERN

5-8 PM, For more information visit seapines.com/events

ROBERTO COIN TRUNK SHOW AT FORSYTHE JEWELERS

From October 12 - October 14, 10AM5PM. Explore the newly coined fall collections. Enjoy a complimentary gift with your Roberto Coin purchase.

ISLAND VIBES CONCERT SERIES

5-7 PM at COAST. For more visit seapines.com/events

MITCHELVILLE FILM FESTIVAL

October 25-26 at Coligny Theatre. For more, visit colignytheatre.com

and the people who eat it. Saturday (Oct. 21) concert by 38 Special and Cranford Hollow. For more information visit rocknribshhi.com.

HALLOWEEN AT COLIGNY

4-7PM with a costume contest starting at 6PM.

HOUNDS ON THE HARBOUR

from 10AM-12PM at Harbour Town in Sea Pines.

PALM TREES & PISTONS

9-11AM at Sea Turtle Marketplace on Hilton Head. Free and weather dependent

21

ITALIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL

11AM-4PM, Coastal Discovery Museum. For more, iachh.org

NIGHT AT THE PRESERVE - FULL MOON

7:30-9PM at Sea Pines Forest Preserve. Call 843-842-1979.

HILTON HEAD’S GOT TALENT Coligny Center Stage at 2PM. For more, visit hhiacademy.org.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

HILTON HEAD HUMANE HALLOWEEN PARTY

Sunday, October 29 from 12-2PM at Hilton Head Humane campus!

MUSIC AND TASTE ON THE HARBOUR SCHEDULE FOR OCTOBER

October 5 - Deas Guyz

October 12 - Stee & the Ear Candy

October 19 - Target & Headliner Horns

From 6-9PM at Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina. No outside food or beverages.