CH2 MAGAZINE MARCH 2024

BUILDING A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP THE BLUFFTON PLUNGERS NEIGHBORHOOD STROLL FEATURING ROSE HILL

THE MORNING COMMUTE

THE ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE RETURNS ONE HOUR EARLIER!

BENNY’S COASTAL KITCHEN

TIGERS OF THE AIR A Great Horned Owl Family Moves In

GENIUSES AT WORK

Chaos Coordinator

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 Font Critic

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

Courtney Hampson

Lynne Cope Hummell

Barry Kaufman

Alan Perry

Cheryl Ricer

Sheila Tucker

Lighting Experts

Photography by M.Kat

Keen Eye Marketing

Back River Photography/ Wayne C. Moore

Photography by Don Dempsey and Tom Jenkins

Find Us Here

PO Box 22949

Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 843.816.6247

maggie@ch2cb2magazine.com

The thing I like the best about Rose Hill is that every property in this gated community seems to have its own herd of deer. Now, this could be a big selling point, depending on whether you’re a horticulturist or not. I’ve spent a good deal of time hanging out with a Berner or two in this neighborhood and it’s as lovely as Cheryl Ricer’s article says it is in this month’s Neighborhood Stroll feature on page 38.

What started out as one article about Rose Hill evolved into three throughout this issue. Our home feature, on page 46, highlights what makes half of this community so special – wide open spaces and its equestrian ties. I say “half" because Rose Hill is divided into two neighborhoods, one on each side of Hwy. 278; the other half is decidedly golf focused.

Rounding out the trio is a gorgeous fashion spread featuring our very own Taylor Kent with the stunning Mansion at Rose Hill as a backdrop.

If you read one thing in this magazine, it should be the calendar because, boy, is there a lot to do on this island in March! From WingFest to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and WineFest to Easter services, you can easily plan your month with the info on page 130.

Our Line in the Sand debaters tackle the onslaught of AI and discuss whether robot Barry and Courtney will be writing this column in the future. (Not while I have breath in my body!)

In “Tigers of the Air,” we visit the great horned owls and their babies who have captivated us all on Hilton Head Land & Trust’s Facebook page and live raptor cam.

Looking for something crazy to do at 7:30 a.m.? Why not join the growing group of Bluffton Plungers who have taken to jumping into the May River to … to… well, I’m not sure what exactly they are trying to do, but it’s a fast-growing cult and everyone seems to have a blast diving into icy waters together. Read Barry Kaufman’s survival story on page 97.

Lastly, cruise on over to page 88 to get a peek inside Benny’s Coastal Kitchen, the impressive new north end waterfront restaurant, courtesy of the CRAB group. The food looks incredible, the views unmatched, and rumor has it the rooftop bar will open soon.

Enjoy! 

MAGGIE WASHO Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN

PROPERTY ENVY 2024

BREATHTAKING BEAUTIES, PRICEY PROPERTIES

It’s an inescapable fact that we’ve heard buyers lament and sellers rejoice over in the past few years: Property values are sky-high in the Lowcountry. It’s a testament to the quiet beauty and indelible charm we’ve cultivated in our little corner of the South, pairing the sublime elegance of Southern living with the coastal splendor of our watery surroundings. The world is waking up to the Lowcountry’s beauty and flocking to our shores by the thousands. This surge in interest has driven prices to new heights, as any homeowner will tell you with a slight gleam in their eye.

And just as the rising tide has lifted the pleasure craft of the average home, it has also elevated the mega yachts of the area’s already opulent manor homes. From the sandy shores of Sea Pines to the bucolic bowers of Palmetto Bluff, these homes are shattering records even as they ignite our property envy.

Even if they are just a touch outside our price range, we can still gaze on these spectacular properties with aspirational wonder, carefully guarding our jealousy of the lucky buyer who might one day call them home.

40 CANVASBACK ROAD: $9,399,000

With some homes, it’s about what you get. Ocean views. Exquisitely crafted interiors. Airy living spaces that engender a beautiful sense of space. With this home, you get all that.

But what may be even more spectacular is what you don’t get: neighbors.

“This lot is one of only four in Sea Pines that adjoins to a private green space,” said listing agent Mark Devers. “The effect of it is, when you go out on that second-floor balcony, it’s a tremendously wide open ocean view all the way across.”

That unfettered view is one of the main draws to this beachfront home, but it’s far from the only one. Recent

renovations have blown out the ceilings inside the home, creating a sense of grandeur and drawing in that view, while crafting an outdoor oasis that lets you entertain right at the water’s edge.

Listing Agent: Mark Devers, The Ocean Broker. (843) 384-2888

69 NORTH CALIBOGUE CAY: $8,499,000

Eagle-eyed readers might have spotted the elegant trappings of this Sea Pines home in a previous issue of CH2, when it served as the appropriately eye-catching backdrop to our November 2023 “Calibogue Couture” feature. The stately Southern architecture, relaxed Lowcountry beauty, and stellar scenery nearly stole the show from the highfashion runway-ready looks, igniting interest in one of the

40 CANVASBACK ROAD: $9,399,000

Back River Photography/Wayne C. Moore

Back River Photography/Wayne C. Moore

Back River Photography/Wayne C. Moore

50 MARSH ISLAND ROAD: $11,500,000

Photography by KeenEye Marketing

island’s most stunning properties.

“This house is the absolute pinnacle of that ‘Spanish moss and moonbeams’ lifestyle,” said listing agent Jeff Hunt. “It’s one of the most unique settings on the whole island because it’s an acre and a quarter lot that gives you a 180-degree view of the water from left to right. It’s unique in that it’s protected by marsh but has deep water.”

And on that exquisite lot, where dolphins swim toward postcard-worthy sunsets, the home itself captures the imagination with its lofty spiral staircase, brick paver beauty, and bountiful outdoor living with Calibogue Sound as an inspiring backdrop.

Listing Agent: Jeff Hunt, Dunes Real Estate. (843) 842-1111 50 MARSH ISLAND ROAD: $11,500,000

With a mesmerizing setting on a natural hammock of high ground set among tranquil marshlands that stretch to the horizon, this architecturally stunning home strikes a dramatically beautiful profile at the center of a vast eight-acre estate. The main home’s Cape Cod stylings cast a delightful contrast to the typical Sea Pines home, but a dive into its history shows that its Lowcountry roots run deep.

Sea Pines founder Charles Fraser once lived in the carriage house above the garage, while the views of Audubon Pond, Calibogue Sound and Gull Point testify to the beauty that drew him here in the first place. Those views surround acreage that encompasses a family compound, with an entire buildable lot still available on the property.

“The amount of acreage here, you just don’t see that anywhere on Hilton Head. And being in Sea Pines, you have the lifestyle and you have the beach, with amazing privacy,” said listing agent Lindy Maxey. “You’re on your own little island. The home was built to host company retreats, but it could be a family compound, a rental – there are endless options.”

Surrounded by views on all sides and infused with opulent additions from outdoor living to a full wine cellar, this home lives up to the honorific bestowed on it by Maxey. “It is one of a kind.”

Listing Agent: Lindy and Nickey Maxey, Christie’s International Real Estate. (843) 247-0001

15 BALD EAGLE ROAD: $15,999,000

With a price tag like this, you might expect this stunning Sea Pines property to represent the very best of the best. The most desirable lot, the best builders, the most sophisticated craftsmanship. You would expect all of these things, and you’d get them. And yet this magnificent property would still have surprises in store for you.

“It’s the whole package,” said listing agent Tristan O’Grady. “This is that rare offering of a brand-new oceanfront home in Sea Pines, and where else could you find a home that affords this kind of lifestyle?”

Still under construction, this home soaks in ocean views that are perfectly captured by the inspired work of JYR Architects, brilliantly realized by builder Mike Gump and lavishly layered in upscale chic by Kelly Caron Designs. It’s an all-star team that has created a showstopping home.

From the massive cathedral ceiling of the great room to the elegant stonework of the outdoor areas, it’s a treasure trove of details, with outdoor living spaces and soaring interiors that create an endless sea of possibilities.

Presented by COAST brokered by EXP with Coast Professionals Brokered by EXP Realty. (843) 203-8192

70

BRAMS POINT: $8,000,000

A testament to the singular beauty of Lowcountry living, this majestic property takes everything that made our area renowned for stunning homes and elevates it to new heights. Take, for example, that quintessential element of a Lowcountry home – the water view. This property’s unique positioning on the Brams Point peninsula gives it not one but two inspiring vistas across the water.

“In some waterfront homes, you’re living by the water. But here, you’re truly living on the water,” said listing agent Catherine Casalicchio. “You see water from literally every window, and the fact that it’s new construction in the Spanish Wells community is spectacular.”

Between those views is a home that puts a premium on inspired design details, from the Moroccan chandeliers soaring above the foyer to the grand double balconies front and back. Named Calibogue Villa, it exults in its location with a deepwater dock just beyond an expansive outdoor living space. Boasting a 17-foot elevation and steel I-beam construction, it’s as much a marvel of engineering as it is a masterfully designed work of art and a love letter to the Lowcountry’s inimitable beauty.

Listing Agent: Catherine Casalicchio, Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty. (631) 678-8929

18 ARMADA: $7,995,000

Towering above captivating ocean views, this sophisticated oceanfront manor takes all the grandeur and elegance of classic Southern architecture and reimagines it as a thoroughly modern luxury home. The towering dual porches of the dramatic entryway evoke the stately beauty of the Old South, while the sprawling sun-drenched outdoor spaces echo the hospitable beauty of a five-star resort.

“The architecture of this home gives it such presence; it’s almost Georgian,” said listing agent Sara Kurtz. “And there aren’t many homes in Palmetto Dunes that have such a big outdoor area with a pool and outdoor bar.”

In between, homebuilding brilliance has imbued the elements of the old world – grand winding staircases,

15 BALD EAGLE ROAD: $15,999,000

Photography by KeenEye Marketing

dramatic open spaces and soaring arched doors – with the subtle sophistication of modern design. The net result is a home offering the best of both worlds, soaking in elegant scenery through wide windows or boasting a sprawling

garage perfect for keeping a dream car collection in pristine comfort.

Listing Agent: Sara Kurtz, The Alliance Group. (843) 422-5931

Photography by KeenEye Marketing Photography by KeenEye Marketing

Setting a new standard for Colleton River elegance, this majestic compound offers a wealth of features and details that set it apart from anywhere else in the world.

Start with the sheer size of it: 9.75 acres with 400 feet of Colleton River frontage boasting unbelievable views. As a resident of Colleton River, the new owner will have access to the finest amenities on earth, but for the owner of this special property, there are just as many reasons to stay home.

“It’s like you’re in your own little enclave,” said listing agent Linda Rudd with Turner & Rudd. “You can feel like there’s not another soul for miles, but you can still enjoy everything Colleton River has to offer. It’s the best of both worlds.”

Encompassing a 1.5-acre private lake (with amazing fishing), the true jewels of this magnificent property can be found throughout its main home. Here, old-world construction techniques evoke the sense of a historic chalet, while inspired updates have created a sense of generational change. Whether it’s the panels in the billiards room, originally installed in the Hungarian embassy in Paris, or the glass dome in the solarium saved from the wrecking ball of a grand Chicago hotel, there’s a magnificent story in every room.

Listing agent: Linda Rudd, Turner & Rudd. (843) 8165522 

28 SEVEN OAKS DRIVE: $13,500,000

28 SEVEN OAKS DRIVE: $13,500,000

ARTICLE BY CHERYL RICER . PHOTOGRAPHY BY DON DEMPSEY

NEIGHBORHOOD STROLL:

ROSE HILL PLANTATION

STEEPED IN HISTORY, CLOTHED IN NATURAL BEAUTY, AND LOCATED AT THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING

Nestled among majestic oak and magnolia trees, with lagoons, marshes, and acres of open green space and exotic wildlife, lies a Lowcountry paradise unlike any other. Rose Hill Plantation is in the heart of the Lowcountry, literally. It’s nearly equidistant from Hilton Head Island, Beaufort, and Savannah, and an easy drive to Charleston, with all the art, dining, and shopping available in beautiful Bluffton.

The origin of Rose Hill Plantation and the history of the Kirk family, the original settlers there, can be traced back to the mid 1600s when King Charles II granted a charter to eight English noblemen to colonize the Carolinas. The Kirk family retained the property until the early part of the 20th century. In 1981, The Rose Hill Plantation Development Company (the Welton family) developed Rose Hill Plantation into a gated community of approximately 1,000 homesites, with an equestrian center and a golf course.

Today Rose Hill offers residents a variety of lifestyle options – from quaint patio home communities and large golf fairway homesites, to equestrian estates and marshfront properties with panoramic views of the Colleton River. Within the nearly 2,000 acres is an 18-hole golf course, tennis and pickleball courts, equestrian center, the newly renovated Colleton Point Pavilion, acres of park land, and a host of other amenities including deepwater access. The community is nearly built out, with only 46 unimproved homesites remaining.

“I’ve heard Rose Hill residents say they love living in Rose Hill because it embodies the ideal of Lowcountry living, and I couldn’t agree more,” said Crystal Higginbotham, Rose Hill Property Owners Association general manager. “However, I believe the beauty of Rose Hill goes beyond that. Not only do we enjoy diversity in our wildlife and homes, but within our residents. The

With elegance and grace, this blue heron presides over the par 5 green.

community plays host to many different backgrounds, whether you are new to the area or a lifelong Blufftonian, from young families just starting out, to empty nesters and retirees.”

Rose Hill property values and real estate sales continue to increase, attributing to the near-total built out status. Higginbotham points out that Rose Hill is a thriving community fortunate enough to have multiple volunteer committees and several resident clubs that make Rose Hill an enjoyable and fulfilling place to live.

The social committee plans large-scale events with the goal of bringing members together, including the Fourth of July Festival, Fall Festival, a Holiday Dinner Dance, and an Easter Egg Hunt. The communications committee produces a quarterly newsletter and schedules educational seminars with guest speakers. There is something for everyone at Rose Hill.

EQUESTRIAN CENTER

Many of the multi-acre tracts in the community are lovely estate homes, some with charming horse barns. Enthusiasts can ride on miles of meandering greenbelt trails throughout the north side of the plantation. The 50-acre professionally managed Equestrian Center offers a 30-stall barn, four wash areas, and both main and dressage riding arenas, grass riding area, a polo field and staff quarters onsite.

Heather Jenkins, Rose Hill Equestrian Center operator and Hunter Jumper show trainer, has more than 45 years in

the saddle and 20 years of operating her own farm. She has experience riding, training, sale/consignment, and teaching as a professional in the hunter-jumpers, and she enjoys working with multiple disciplines of all levels.

“The Rose Hill community is a Lowcountry gem and a horse person’s dream,” Jenkins said. “Not only is our Equestrian Center located in an idyllic Lowcountry setting, but it’s just a walk, golf cart ride, or quick hack away from the homesites. I am proud to operate my business in a facility that boasts the only polo field in our area, an Olympic-sized dressage ring, show quality hunter-jumper ring, and a grass cross-country course. I couldn’t have asked to be part of a more supportive and collaborative community.”

Jenkins has eagerly implemented improvements to the interior of the barn and has plans for exterior improvements as well. She believes that being in Rose Hill gives her the ability to provide high-level service to residents and outside clients of all ages. Services include standard full board; training, consignment, rehab, and show board; lesson packages; and International Equestrian Association team.

Annually, the Rose Hill community hosts exciting polo events. This year, two Polo for Charity Classics are scheduled, one in the spring (April 7) and one in the fall (November 10). To learn more, visit RoseHillEquestrianClub.com

GOLF CLUB

Whether you are fortunate enough to call Rose Hill home, vacationing, or planning a golf outing, the Rose

Rose Hill Equestrian Center 30-stall barn and meticulously maintained hunter jumper ring.

B

Hill Golf Club is a neighborhood favorite. Designed by legendary Carolinas golf architect Gene Hamm, this 18hole championship course offers an exciting experience for golfers of all skill levels.

Managed by industry leader International Golf Maintenance (IGM), the course is superbly sculptured to take advantage of the terrain and provide a variety of shot-making and course management options. The course meanders through the community, set among live oaks draped in Spanish moss, towering pine trees, and sleepy lagoons. And you are certain to encounter an array of local wildlife.

Michael Kuhn, IGM general manager at Rose Hill Plantation, has taken great pleasure in giving the course the care it deserves and seeing it improve under his watch. In fact, Rose Hill was a 2023 Finalist for Best of Bluffton Public Golf Courses.

“The course has a challenging but fun layout that unfortunately had been neglected over the years,” Kuhn said. “The greens were practically unplayable, but with lots of work, they were smooth and rolling true by the end of the summer. That progress, along with our great customer service, saw us double our rounds played over the previous

As morning breaks, a misty blanket of fog lingers over the polo field.

year. I am excited for what the future brings as we continue to work towards our goal of making Rose Hill Golf Club a respected member of the Bluffton golf course community.”

The Golf Club has supported local charitable organizations such as Operation Patriots FOB, Meals on Wheels, Helping Hands, and the First Tee – Lowcountry. The club hosted the South Carolina 4A Conference Region 7 Girls High School Varsity Tournament this past fall, and is looking forward to hosting the Boys 4A Conference Championship this spring and the SCGA Women’s Match Play Championship in the fall.

“The IGM team at Rose Hill Golf Club has been excited about all the opportunities the golf operation has created and offered to the community,” said Mark Teed, head pro at the club. “We have a premium focus on continually

elevating golf course conditions with offers to any golfer in the area as well as supporting local, resident, and county golfers in a welcoming and affordable environment. Public golf and memberships are available services with a friendly staff that is looking forward to seeing you at the club.”

RACQUET SPORTS

Racquet sports enthusiasts benefit from a wide range of options at Rose Hill. Two well-maintained clay courts, one hard

Colleton Point Landing features spectacular views of Colleton River, an event facility, a gazebo and deep water dock access for boating or fishing.

BAnnually, the Rose Hill community hosts exciting polo events. This year, two Polo for Charity Classics are scheduled, one in the spring (April 7) and one in the fall (November 10).

court and four pickleball courts are available to all residents. For those who enjoy bocce ball, two newly refurbished bocce ball courts are in Willow Lake Park at Rose Hill.

Within the community is the independently owned Tennisclub of the Lowcountry (TLC), which offers competitively priced memberships with discounts to residents. TLC offers members six Har-Tru lighted courts and five specialized junior courts designed for the Quickstart Junior Program, which caters to children from ages 4 to 18. Certified professional coaches offer daily clinics and private or group instruction, and junior development programs. A professionally staffed pro shop, and a clubhouse with locker and shower facilities, covered decking and kitchen access for member social events round out the amenities.

“While we have a great facility, what we love about the club are the members and their guests who come out regularly to play socially together and to participate in the variety of clinics offered,” said Jill Cox, co-owner of TLC with her husband, Gavin.

Only members can reserve a court, but programs are open to all. TLC is always looking to welcome visitors to Rose Hill, and they encourage new tennis players in the area to live in Rose Hill and make their tennis home at TLC.

OTHER AMENITIES

Rose Hill residents have many amenities that appeal to all ages. Not only do they enjoy tranquil passive parks with nature trails and vistas of tidal marshes, but they also have access to three swimming pools and a playground.

Bill Baker Park spans 50 acres of dedicated green space. A picturesque nature trail invites bikers and walkers alike. The nearly two-mile, 8-foot-wide path was completely repaved in spring 2023. A brisk ride or leisurely stroll will surely afford glimpses of Lowcountry wildlife, including herons, ibis, egrets, deer, alligators, and lots of turtles.

Colleton Point Landing is a neighborhood favorite spot for a variety of Lowcountry pastimes. Those with boats can launch from here into the Colleton River, which leads to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. Paddleboarding or kayaking takes adventurers through meandering waterways and marsh grasses, while others enjoy the fishing and crabbing dock.

For those who enjoy sunrises and sunsets, the waterside gazebo provides one of the most spectacular panoramic

Cvistas in Beaufort County. A stunning event pavilion with a wraparound deck adorned with rocking chairs was just completed this past summer. The space, perfect for smaller weddings or other special occasions, is available to residents or the public by reservation through the Rose Hill POA office.

Residents have access to the Annex, a charming meeting facility with a lending library maintained by volunteers. It’s a perfect setting for getting together with friends for smaller social gatherings, committee meetings, or a game of cards.

THE MANSION AT ROSE HILL

Before Steven Stempel, a developer and realtor with Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty, purchased the beloved Rose Hill Planation House in 2021, the property had sat empty for months, fueling anxiety in the community about the fate of their historical jewel.

Fortunately, those fears never materialized and the results of the renovation of what is now the Mansion at Rose Hill, a luxury VRBO and event venue, are simply stunning.

The Rose Hill Plantation House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Today, the Mansion at Rose Hill is a luxury VRBO and event venue.

With curated antique furnishings, rugs, decor, and fine china, the experience for guests has been carefully crafted for lavish enjoyment. In addition to private rentals, several weddings are booked all the way into 2025.

Amenities include a private pool, gardens, outdoor smoker and propane grill, billiards room, library, games, Smart TVs, six bedrooms and six spa-like baths, offering the perfect retreat for a Lowcountry experience that dreams are made of. The Mansion sits on 12 lush acres with majestic live oaks, pecan and magnolia trees, a freshwater lagoon and saltwater marsh.

Stempel also took the time to immerse himself in the property history to establish Mansion at Rose Hill as the premier Historic Gothic Revival in the Southeast.

“We really want to be a good neighbor in Rose Hill, partnering with the POA and Social Committee to host events on the grounds,” Stempel said. “Our goal is for the Mansion at Rose Hill to be perceived as an asset to the neighborhood.”

COMMUNITY

For those residing in Rose Hill Plantation it is not just having a place to live, but embracing a lifestyle with other folks who have a strong sense of community.

Whether it’s playing a game of golf or tennis, riding at the Equestrian Center, swimming at the pools, swinging at the playground, or joining neighbors at any number of social events, there is so much to discover … so much to experience.

George and Gerry Kelly agree. They have lived in Rose Hill for 30 years, relocating from Coral Springs, Florida, to enjoy all the Lowcountry has to offer and to be closer to friends from Long Island, New York.

“We love the diversity of the population in Rose Hill,” the Kellys said. “We have been very active in the community over the years. The golf course, Colleton Point Landing, Bill Baker Park, and all the magnificent scenery fits our lifestyle. We live on a pond and enjoy seeing and hearing the ‘call of the wild’ each day.”

Chris and Sarah VanGeison have called Rose Hill home for more than seven years.

“When we decided to start a family, our priority was a larger yard for our dogs and our future children to play in,” the young couple said. “After moving into the neighborhood, we realized how much Rose Hill really has to offer: the large trees, the beautiful landscape, the privacy, the security, and the amenities. Plus, so many young families have moved into the community, which is just one more reason we love it so much. It’s wonderful to see all the kids (including our four) at community events and running around on Halloween. We feel blessed to be in Rose Hill every single day.”

While lovely homes and neighborhoods abound in Beaufort County, Rose Hill is a uniquely special place – a real Lowcountry neighborhood with a wealth of amenities, lush, beautiful surroundings, an array of housing options, and an ideal location.

To learn more about life in Rose Hill Plantation, visit RoseHillPlantation.net.

Bill Baker Park is 50 acres and includes a two-mile leisure trail running alongside lagoons teeming with wildlife.

Farmhouse style wide plank floors, paneled ceiling and simple casework blend seamlessly with the kitchen’s modern gourmet cooktop, Carrara marble backsplash and expansive pasture views.

Article by Cheryl Ricer

Photography by Don Dempsey and Tom Jenkins Architecture by Sam Liberti, Low Tide Designs Construction by Steve Tilton, Coastal Signature Homes

Charming Equestrian Estate

A DREAM COMES TO LIFE IN ROSE HILL

“No heaven can heaven be, if my horse isn’t there to welcome me.” – Unknown

For Ted and Jill Przybocki, heaven always felt like a place where horses grazed happily on wide open green spaces just outside their windows. Living in a farmhouse, with a barn in the backyard where they could care for their horses in their own way, was a dream they shared and talked about for years.

It all started when they were on a trail ride during their honeymoon in Sun River, Oregon. Jill professed her love of horses to Ted, and that profession influenced their home and neighborhood decisions for the entirety of their marriage.

Back home in Michigan, and after taking riding lessons together, the couple built a home in an equestrian neighborhood and enjoyed having their horse nearby. Eventually, due to changes in their jobs, the Przybockis moved, but still boarded horses at different boarding facilities for decades.

Meanwhile, Ted had been coming to the Lowcountry for vacations since 1984 and, when he and Jill married, they began visiting together. It was during one of their getaways that Jill discovered Rose Hill in a real estate magazine.

“I saw that Rose Hill had an equestrian neighborhood,” Jill said. “I was curious about it, but at the time I never imagined we’d end up there.”

Luckily, both Przybockis were at a place career-wise where they could live anywhere and continue to work, so they began to mull over the allure and excitement of moving from Michigan to a warmer climate. They got in touch with local realtor Alison Melton.

“Alison was fantastic,” Ted said. “Not only does she know horses, which really helped, but she was like Bluffton’s own ambassador. She is one of the primary reasons we really fell in love with the area because she gave us the grand tour and immersed us in all of the great reasons to live here. She spent way more time with us than we ever expected.”

The couple had never spent time in Bluffton previously – they had always just driven through. But they toured the town and spent time looking at the different equestrian communities. One visit to Rose Hill, and their minds were made up.

“We were taken by the canopy of live oaks, the Spanish moss, the meandering streets,” Ted said. “But the magic moment came when we walked on what became our lot. It looked like a

jungle, but we made our way through to the back of the property, and the whole world opened up. Pastures and polo fields as far as you can see. It was stunning.”

The couple looked at each other and agreed, “This is perfect.”

Within minutes, they were back at Allison’s office and bought the two-and-a-half acre lot.

“We closed on Valentine’s Day 2020,” Jill said, “and a month later everything was shutting down and the whole world was upside down, so it was a quite a journey to get to where we are today.”

According to the couple, builder Steve Tilton of Coastal Signature Homes made the process as easy and enjoyable as it could have been under the circumstances.

“When we were interviewing builders, Steve was

Lowcountry architecture and a relaxed, compound-style footprint leave ample space for grazing land.

The home office suite doubles as a sanctuary for relaxation and creative thinking.

Transom windows and dual sliding doors flood the home with light and provide a prime view of the horses.

the most enthusiastic,” Ted said. “He just seemed to have this authentic joy for the creative process.”

Tilton also impressed the couple by visiting their property and videotaping himself walking the lot, describing its attributes and its suitability for a build. The service he provided initially and throughout the project made the Przybockis feel more like family than clients.

When they first began meetings, everything was done on Zoom due to the lockdown, with the couple sharing all their ideas gathered from the internet, Pinterest, and even some of Tilton’s builds.

“Jill and Ted came to us very prepared,” Tilton said. “They had a PowerPoint presentation with their ideas. Their inspiration photos were mainly houses that we had built so I knew it would be a great relationship.”

“His architectural style meshed with what we were looking for,” Ted said. “We really liked some of the simple, elegant Lowcountry homes with gracious porches and simple lines. We wanted a modern farmhouse that had that same timeless look.”

Due to delays, shortages, cost increases, and more that occurred because of the pandemic, it took the Przybockis about two years to design and build their 3,240-square-foot home and their 36-by-40-foot, three-stall barn.

While the couple’s previous home in Michigan was considerably larger – more than 8,000 square feet of living space with two upper floors and a finished walk-out lower level – they were excited to transition into a smaller space on one level that combines the elements they truly love in a clean, uncompromised space.

“We honestly could not have cared less about square footage,” Jill said. “For us it was more about the layout, the utility, and the flow of the home. And, of course, the barn.”

The fusion of style and aesthetic is on display throughout the house and barn. Elements of a simple, timeless farmhouse can be seen in the unstained, wide plank, oak floors, the six-panel doors, the oil-rubbed bronze hardware, and the scale of the home. Nods to the architecture of the Lowcountry are seen in the exterior, with the large front and back porches, simple yet substantial square columns, HardiePlank siding, plantation shutters, copper drip edges, a gabled roof, transom windows, and dormers.

The couple took great care to maximize both the abundant mature trees on the front of the property, and

the future pasture space at the back. The result is a compound of buildings – barn, home, and detached garage – connected by a covered walkway that stretches across the width of the property, preserving its depth.

“In Michigan, you’d be nuts to do that,” Ted said with a laugh. “There, if you can afford it, you have an attached garage. But down here – at least on this lot – we were able to create a more relaxed journey getting from space to space, and it just sort of worked for us.”

Almost more important than the home itself was getting the barn right. Unlike a home where drafts are undesirable, a barn needs to breathe. Horses require ventilation, and there was much discussion about things like the amount of airflow required based on several elements, including the square footage of openings in the roof peak and the eaves.

“I’ll be honest, I was a little nervous about building the barn because I’ve never built one before,” Tilton said.

Visitors to this Lowcountry-inspired modern farmhouse are often greeted first by its four-legged residents.

“But Jill was so optimistic. She said she’d never built one either so we would learn together. We both did a lot of research and shared a lot of ideas. In the end, we came up with something phenomenal. I’ve been building homes for a long time. Anytime I can learn something new along the way is very special for me.”

Jill gives kudos to designer Sam Liberti for starting the process with a great design.

“Sam was great to work with,” she said. “We drew what we wanted on a sheet of paper, and we gave it to him. And he brought it to life. From pencil sketch to finished product, he really stayed true to the original vision.”

One of the Przybockis’ most memorable moments came when they walked into the barn for the first time once it was framed. They had given a lot of freedom to Coastal Signature’s carpenters to craft the interior, and they did not disappoint.

“Honestly, we hadn’t discussed the interior aesthetic at that point,” Ted said. “It was sort of a design-build type of project. Frankly, I figured there would be ceiling joists above the center aisle. So, it was kind of jaw-dropping seeing what they had done with our little barn. The soaring ceiling and the level of detail in it is pretty cool. We’re really proud of it. Steve and his team deserve a lot of credit.”

Inside the house, one of the couple’s must-haves was the placement of Ted’s office.

“In houses like ours, the default location for a home office seemed to be in the front of the house, with the bedrooms in the back,” Ted said. “We wanted to flip that. I wanted to be connected to the activity going on in the barn and the pastures.”

In Michigan, Ted also had a pool table and drums in the lower level, and was loathe to give those up in the new home, which was built on a slab. Of all the ideas on their original wish list, Ted credits Liberti for preserving the idea of incorporating all of it into his office.

“We knew there would be trade-offs during the process,” Ted said. “But I found out Sam is a drummer, too. I was lamenting one day that something would have to give, and that I might have to give up my stuff. But somehow Sam worked his magic and made an intentional space for everything. He wouldn’t let me give up the drums. Love that guy.”

Another must-have was adjoining the laundry room and the master closet.

“I love having the laundry room right there,” said Jill. “It makes it so much easier. And it helps preserve the views for the rooms where we spend our time.”

The couple agreed that their bedroom, the great room, the kitchen, the dining room, Ted’s office and billiard room – all the rooms at the back of the house – must have a view of the pasture and horses.

“It’s what we love most about the house,” Jill said. “It’s a horse-lover’s version of waterfront property. Walking by a window and seeing horses graze, or napping in the shade, or looking over the fence at their friends in the equestrian center ... that’s the charm of this place. It’s about the horses. It’s the outside that makes the inside complete.” 

The barn’s post and beam construction, soaring ceilings, and attention to detail create a welcoming and functional environment.

Backyard Patio Essentials

Spring is approaching and, if you have a backyard, now is the time to turn it into the most luxurious space in your house. Your backyard patio is an extension of your home, so it’s important to ensure that you’re making the most of it by using it as a place where friends and family can gather after a long day or to celebrate a special one.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you look to transform your backyard into a restful oasis.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

As people spend more time in their homes, they are becoming more aware of what is necessary and what is frivolous. The idea that “less is best” has created clean, calm spaces with subtle charm.

Thin remodeling pavers are a great way to add to your patio without overdoing it. These pavers can be easily installed over an existing concrete slab to create a luxurious upgrade and add a highend aesthetic. You can also use them as borders around your home, garden, or use them as walkways through the lawn.

OUTDOOR ROOMS

An outdoor room is a great way to add some extra square footage to your home. Outdoor rooms allow you to spend time with family and friends while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors. And because of their roofs and screened-in walls, they are also an awesome place for entertaining guests on a rainy afternoon. The possibilities are truly endless. You can design your new room for any purpose, from office space for remote work to personal meditation studios.

FIRE PITS

Fire pits are one of the easiest and most popular upgrades you can do for your backyard. These outdoor accessories are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners – and for good reason. They’re a cozy way

Fire pits are one of the easiest and most popular upgrades you can do for your backyard.

The best way to get ideas and to get your patio ready for spring is to look to the experts to assess your backyard.

Seat walls are an excellent way to add extra seating in your yard without taking up a lot of space.

to enjoy the outdoors and create a relaxing and inviting space. Fire pits are also useful for cooking, entertaining guests, or warming up on chilly nights.

Fire pits can be custom-made to fit your backyard patio design perfectly or come as an easy-to-install DIY kit and support options like gas-powered inserts and smoke-reducing ring attachments.

SEATS AND BENCHES

Seat walls are an excellent way to add extra seating in your yard without taking up a lot of space. These walls can be built to fit any size or shape of space, and, because they’re modular units, you can create them in any pattern you like. Whether you want one long bench or several smaller seating areas, it’s all up to you!

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL

The best way to get ideas and for the quickest service in getting your backyard patio ready for spring, look to the experts to assess your backyard. A patio, hardscape, or landscape installer will be able to look at your backyard and help give you a full idea of how to set it up from the beginning of the process to the end.

As the weather continues to warm and daylight savings approaches, now is the time to get your backyard ready so you can maximize your time enjoying the outdoors! If you need help with ideas or would like a professional to provide an estimate to make your backyard dreams a reality, get in touch with Lowcountry Paver at LCPaver.com. 

Article by Barry Kaufman . Photography by M.Kat

Styled by Kaila Jeffcoat . Modeled

by Taylor Kent

Special thanks to the Mansion at Rose Hill team for hosting our shoot.

ARCHITECTURAL ELEGANCE REDEFINED

MANSION AT ROSE HILL

Embodying the mystique, allure and beauty of the Lowcountry, the Mansion at Rose Hill has stood for more than a century as an iconic symbol of Southern grace and beauty. From the soaring peaks of its Gothic windows to the elegant rise of its central grand staircase, its architecture speaks in reverent tones of the grandeur of the old South while constantly reinventing itself as the standard bearer for the new South’s sophisticated charm.

From witnessing the horrors of war to being left abandoned, to its glory days at the heart of the Lowcountry’s gilded age renaissance, to a fire that left it an empty shell and then to restoration that ushered in a new era of beauty, it has persisted.

Like the ageless boughs of the live oaks around it, this grande dame has witnessed the Lowcountry’s history as it has unfolded.

And through it all, it has endured as a symbol of the South’s singularly everlasting beauty. What more fitting backdrop could we find, then, for the truly timeless fashions you see here? Just as the builders of this grand estate crafted a work of pure inspiration, we present to you spring looks that will stand the test of time.

Ensemble available at Kelly Caron Curated

Ensemble available at Coastal Bliss

Ensemble available at The Haven

Ensemble available at Gigi’s

MANSION AT ROSE HILL

Ensemble available at Birdie James

Ensemble available at Collage

Ensemble available at Southern Tide

Ensemble available at Kelly Caron Curated

MANSION AT ROSE HILL

Ensemble available at Palmettoes

Ensemble available at Maggie and Me

MANSION AT ROSE HILL

Ensemble available at Gigis

MANSION AT ROSE HILL

Article by Cheryl Ricer Photography by M.Kat

Tailored to Taste

EASY, EFFICIENT OPTIONS ARE YOURS AT BUDGET BLINDS

Like the eyes are windows to the soul, your windows are the eyes to the world around your home. They are what others see looking into your haven, the portal from which you view the space around you, and the opening that allows the light to pour inside. How you “treat” your windows should be a priority.

Budget Blinds of Hilton Head Island will tailor your windows to tastefully suit your home. Their experienced design consultants take precise measurements for each of your custom window treatments, guaranteeing not only a perfect fit for every window, but also seamless integration with your home’s unique decor to ensure they enhance both the function and aesthetic of your space.

The Budget Blinds Advantage

Budget Blinds has served the Lowcountry since 2006. Their amazing local team loves connecting with members of community to design just the right solutions for each customer, with a style for every point of view and budget. Budget Blinds is also the leading source for custom window coverings – the place where satisfied clients turn to find high quality, affordable window coverings. Options include blinds, shades, plantation shutters, and soft treatments, and they steadfastly stand by both a price and service promise.

Bob Engler, owner of Budget Blinds of Bluffton, is photographed in the showroom.

J

J• Price Promise: Are you comparing apples to apples? If you’re getting a lower price from someone else, chances are you’re not comparing apples-to-apples estimates. Be sure to ask about all the enhancements, options, and features that are included with the products you’re shopping for before you buy. Budget Blinds will not lose your business over price. Before deciding based on price, consider their “Price Guarantee” and give them the final opportunity to earn your business.

• Service Promise: Whether you have faux wood blinds, plantation shutters, or one of dozens of other varieties of window treatments installed by Budget Blinds, you also get unmatched warranties and

The Budget Blinds product range includes real wood and faux wood, Venetian, horizontal and vertical, as well as high-tech motorized blinds.

a complimentary “in home” service guarantee included with your purchase and professional installation. Their promise of courteous, hasslefree repairs is designed to keep you satisfied for years to come.

Products that Please

The Budget Blinds product range includes real wood and faux wood, Venetian, horizontal and vertical, as well as high-tech motorized blinds. They offer more than their name implies. Their best-selling products include custom roller shades, woven wood shades, plantation shutters and more. From controlling natural light to adding an elegant touch to your home, Budget Blinds offers the most popular window coverings thanks to their durability, versatility, and range of styles.

The Budget Blinds showroom

With so many options, how do you know which is right for your room, aesthetic, or budget? Shades offer the most varieties of style and material options and are great for privacy and light control when closed, and for a complete view when raised. Shutters are offered in 2½”, 3½”, and 4½” louvers. Louver size is determined by style and view. The bigger the louver, the more light and view are afforded. Blinds are a traditional slatted product that can be tilted open and closed to control light and privacy and can also be raised.

Performance products are also available at Budget Blinds, including motorized window treatments for convenience and seamless integration with existing smart home systems. These allow you to set schedules that will raise and lower your shades at preferred times of the day, which saves time and controls the amount of light and heat in your home as needed.

Energy efficient options include cellular shades, which do a great job of insulating your home and blocking out heat during the hot months and keeping out the cold during the winter months. They will reduce your energy bill and help keep your home at your preferred temperature. Solar shades are also effective at blocking out heat and reducing the need for running your air conditioning.

In fact, most window coverings add an energy efficiency benefit as they block the harsh sunlight. Whether room darkening or light filtering, Budget Blinds products always ensure the right amount of natural light enters your home, enhancing the ambiance and privacy where you need it most.

Adding Texture and Color

Woven wood shades add lots of interesting texture and an organic feel to your home. They’re made of organic materials and are available in a variety of colors that will create a distinct eye-catching look. Roman shades, roller shades, and others are also available in beautiful colors and patterns that contribute to the style of your home, with hundreds of design options that are updated frequently. Budget Blinds can color-match shutters to blend seamlessly with your walls.

The Budget Blinds Process

The Budget Blinds team pride themselves on making sure the process is as smooth as possible, allowing you to choose your new window coverings and let them take care of the rest. With a timeline from initial call to finished product of three to 12 weeks, the process begins with a complimentary in-home consultation with one of their expert design consultants. A consultant will visit your home, measure your windows, and help you find the right blinds, shades, shutters, or soft treatment based on your light, privacy, and style needs.

Your new window coverings will then be custom-made to fit your windows perfectly. Then, expert installers will visit your home to install them. Professional installation ensures your window treatments fit and function properly, and that you’re completely satisfied. Each team member will respect your home and leave it just as clean as they found it.

All that’s left to do is enjoy your new window treatments, which are backed by an unmatched five-year no-questionsasked warranty and by the Budget Blinds team who will be there to help should you encounter any future needs. Budget Blinds window coverings are built to last, and you’ll be happy with them for years to come. 

To schedule your consultation or to learn more, visit BudgetBlinds.com, call (843) 308-1755, or visit the showroom at 11 Sheridan Park Circle, Suite 2, Bluffton.

The Kelca Counters Team (from left): Wilson Hernandez, Mary Elizabeth Baughman, Enrique Flores, Seth Hammer, Trish Haille, Raul Vega-Acevedo, Joshua Raudez, Merlyn Pineda, Sheila Kelca, Guillermo Hernandez, Juan Flores, Michael Kelca, Paul DeRosa, Tim Paxton. Not Pictured: Leonel Rocha

Article by Cheryl Ricer ◇ Photography by M.Kat

SCULPTED TO PERFECTION, CRAFTED TO LAST

UNPARALLELED QUALITY, ATTENTION TO DETAIL, UNWAVERING FAITH DEFINE KELCA COUNTERS

Since 2000, Michael and Sheila Kelca have successfully transformed slabs into stunning surfaces in residential homes and commercial spaces throughout the Lowcountry. With his background in corporate finance and hers in marketing and interior design, the power couple have reimagined and redefined kitchens, bathrooms, and many other applications from Hilton Head to Savannah and beyond.

One important element that separates Kelca Counters from the competition is the quality and heart they put into every project.

“While we’ve always been recognized for the quality of our installation, since 2020 when COVID hit, there has been an influx of business and a limited number of employees” Michael said. “As a result, we decided to fully automate our operations by investing in CNC equipment as well as a digital templating system.”

Kelca Counters is now able to do more jobs in a shorter amount of time, offering customers a quicker turnaround, precise measurements and cuttings, and higher quality finished products.

CNC is an acronym for “computer numerical control,” and these machines play an important role in the manufacturing industry. Fully controlled by a computer, they provide a level of efficiency, accuracy, and consistency that would be impossible to achieve through a manual process.

“Rightly so, people expect precision in their job fabrication,” Sheila said. “Now, even more than before, our customers get the benefit of a digital template that is more accurate.”

As well, Kelca Counters is now able to do more jobs in a shorter amount of time, offering customers a quicker turnaround, precise measurements and cuttings, and higher quality finished products. Clients who live out of the area get digital layouts of their projects prior to cutting and installation.

Another important element that separates Kelca Counters from the competition is the skill and artistry they bring to every project.

“We look at ourselves as craftsmen and that makes a difference with our builders and homeowners,” Michael said. “We go one-on-one with the builder or the homeowner, whether it’s a $5 million home, a smaller villa, or a multi-family housing development. We give them all the same attention to detail.”

Those details include a huge selection of surfaces from which to choose. While Kelca Counters still installs lots of natural stone, quartz is the number one surface customers are going for in today’s market. Along with a variety of quartz designs, they also offer a huge selection of tiles.

“We’ve got some really fun stuff,” Sheila said. “While many people are still doing a lot of the coastal styles, many of our customers are moving

from different areas of the country, so they are bringing their own styles, whether it be a European flair or modern designs that extend beyond the Lowcountry.”

Kelca Counters works with vendors up and down East Coast, from Virginia to Miami, and even as far west as Texas to outsource products

Samples on display at the Kelca Counters showroom in Bluffton.

that will suit any taste and style and offer the ease of matching your tiles with your countertops in a one-stop shop.

Their number one source of marketing has always been word of mouth and repeat customers as well as a huge referral business from local real estate agents and property management companies. Everyone at Kelca Counters works hard to establish great relationships with each person, treating them like family. Their goal is to present the best price, best quality, and best customer service as well as products that work for their best interest.

“I always try to educate our customers on surfaces, then we analyze their application,” Michael said. “For example, for a beach rental that renters might not take the best care of, steer clear of high-end surfaces like marble. Instead, install some low-maintenance engineered stone that not only won’t stain, but will also take a beating.”

Another important cornerstone of success at Kelca Counters – possibly the most important – is the fact that the Kelcas attribute their accomplishments to God’s grace and mercy.

“We always give glory to God, not only for the fact that we’ve celebrated 23 years in business, have always been blessed with an amazing staff offering tremendous experience and talents in our industry, but that we’ve survived and thrived throughout the many different economic cycles and the pandemic,” Sheila said. “We have always turned blessings into praise and owe Him for everything we are and everything we have!”

Quality that is unmatched plus attention to detail plus faith in God equals success despite the storms … a pretty great equation for business by any standard.

To have your counters and surfaces sculpted to perfection and crafted to last, visit KelcaCounters.com or call (843) 8157796. Either way, they would love to meet you! 

THE MORNING COMMUTE

Some people ride the subway.

Some people travel by car to their destination every morning. In the Lowcountry, with an abundance of sea islands, there’s a unique and more scenic type of commute. We caught up with 10 locals who live on the mainland but commute to beautiful Daufuskie Island every day.

Photography by M.Kat

WESLEY OGINO

Occupation/Company: Business development and project ops manager at Freeport Marina

Years Working on Daufuskie Island: 3 years

How do you travel to Daufuskie Island every morning? I take the Island Head ferry each morning at 9 a.m. to reach Daufuskie Island. We depart from Broad Creek Marina (near Fishcamp and Up the Creek).

How long of a ride is it? The ride to Freeport Marina takes about 40 to 50 minutes. It sure beats my past days of commuting, where I would be sitting in 50 minutes of traffic outside of Philadelphia.

How do you spend the morning ride over? When I first started taking the ferry, I would put my headphones in and listen to music for the entire ride. Over the past three years I’ve become close friends with the Island Head captains and mates, so now I spend my mornings chatting it up with them. Talking with first timers heading over to Daufuskie Island is always very enjoyable. I have had some of my most fascinating conversations with people I’ll most likely never see again while commuting on the Island Head ferry! What is your favorite part about spending your days on this lovely little island? I have always loved the sense of peace and serenity that Daufuskie Island provides me each day. The natural environment, beautiful Lowcountry scenery, and overall vibe of the island has brought me so much joy over the past few years. It’s a blessing to escape the constant droning sound of cars zooming around like you have on Hilton Head or in Bluffton. On top of it all, it makes me genuinely happy to see the delight that Daufuskie can bring its visitors. The good energy floating through the air on a busy Saturday at Freeport Marina and The Old Daufuskie Crab Company is unmatched! Tell us something the average person or visitor to the South might not know about Daufuskie Island. Daufuskie Island is still home to some of the Gullah residents who were students in Pat Conroy’s 1972 memoir, “The Water is Wide.” I feel very fortunate to know a few of these students, who are now in their 60s and 70s. If you want to know how “things used to be,” you must actually talk to the people that were there for it, you know? I learn more about this island from them every day.

Do you see yourself living on Daufuskie one day? My long-term goal is to have a second home on Daufuskie Island, with a primary home on Hilton Head Island. The dream is to be able to bring over my family on the weekends, enjoy quality time with them away from the hustle and bustle, and let my kids run around barefoot to have all the fun they can. I always wished I had somewhere like Daufuskie to explore growing up, so now I want my future children to have that opportunity.

…and just because… if you were stranded on a deserted island – what three things would you take with you? I would start with a giant, and I mean GIANT, box of matches. A sturdy fishing net will be useful. And, just so I don’t get too bored all by myself, I’d want a solar-powered speaker with all of my favorite music somehow loaded onto it.

THE MORNING COMMUTE

STEVEN MCNULTY

Occupation/Company: Boat captain, co-owner of Daufuskie Watersports, Island Head Ferry to Daufuskie

Years Working on Daufuskie Island: 23 years

How do you travel to Daufuskie Island every morning?

On Island Head boat

How long of a ride is it? 30-45 minutes, depending on which boat is used

How do you spend the morning ride over? Generally, if I’m on the Island Head boat to Daufuskie, I am driving it so I definitely talk to the passengers about the local area and history of Hilton Head and Daufuskie.

What is your favorite part about spending your days on this lovely little island? My favorite part is interacting with the local residents while on the island. Tell us something the average person or visitor to the South may not know about Daufuskie Island. Two things I’d like to mention: Bloody Point is at the southern tip of the island. It got its name during 1715, when a number of skirmishes with the Yemassee Indians caused the water on the beach to run red with blood from the

battle. Bloody Point is also the southernmost inhabited point of South Carolina.

The Cooper River Cemetery is also a very good place to stop when learning about Daufuskie history. Gullah tradition is to place the cemeteries near moving water so the souls could travel home to Africa.

Do you see yourself living on Daufuskie one day?

Probably not. Daufuskie has modernized somewhat in the past 30 years but not enough for take-it-for-granted things like grocery stores. I am one of those people who, if my wife sends me to the grocery store to get sugar, I usually forget it and have to go back. That would be tough living on Daufuskie to turn around and get back on the boat.

…and just because… if you were stranded on a deserted island – what three things would you take with you? My wife, my son, and Heineken!

PATRICIA STAFFORD Occupation/Company: Lead Server (Haig Point)

Years working on Daufuskie Island: 6 years

How do you travel to Daufuskie Island every morning? Haig Point Ferry

How long of a ride is it? It takes 1 hour and 20 minutes, and an additional 30 on the ferry

How do you spend the morning ride over?

I pay bills, check and return texts and emails. Sometimes I take a nap.

What is your favorite part about spending your days on this lovely little island?

The members make my days enjoyable. Tell us something the average person or visitor to the South may not know about Daufuskie Island. Everybody is family on Daufuskie. It’s a tucked away gem.

Do you see yourself living on Daufuskie one day? If they build a bridge, I would love to live on Daufuskie.

…and just because… if you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you take with you? If I’m stranded on an island, I would take a bottle of wine, pillow and a warm blanket.

ADAM MARTIN

Occupation/Company: Vice President Sales & Marketing at Haig Point

How do you travel to Daufuskie Island every morning? Haig Point Ferry

How long of a ride is it? 30 minutes

How do you spend the morning ride over? It really depends on what I have going on that day. I might be working on my laptop or stepping out onto the deck to make phone calls. I also use the ride for some personal time to listen to a podcast, or read a magazine or book.

What is your favorite part about spending your days on this lovely little island? The people. We have such a strong community on Daufuskie. And the ferry is a big part of helping to facilitate that since our residents spend quality time together. Tell us something the average person or visitor to the South might not know about Daufuskie Island. The whole island is on the National Register Of Historic Places. Do you see yourself living on Daufuskie one day? Yes!

JON SHERMAN

Occupation/Company: Assistant Golf Professional

Years working on Daufuskie

Island: 4 years

How do you travel to Daufuskie Island every morning? I take the Haig Point Ferry that leaves from the embarkation to work and back. How long of a ride is it? The ride takes around 30 minutes. How do you spend the morning ride over? Typically, during the ride over, I like to relax and watch a variety of podcasts.

What is your favorite part about spending your days on this lovely little island? It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly would be my favorite experience while working on the island. I would say it would be the overall peacefulness of the island.

WILLIAM “DOC” SCURRY

Occupation/Company: Partner at Freeport Marina & Old Daufuskie Crab Company

Years working on Daufuskie

Island: 15 years – since I was 13 How do you travel to Daufuskie Island every morning? Fortunately, most days I take over my center console Parker. Unfortunately, sometimes the weather sucks. How long of a ride is it? Ha! 20 to 45 minutes, depending on how well I follow the rules. How do you spend the morning ride over? Going through Spanish Wells, in the no wake zone, I make the first of many phone calls in a day.

What is your favorite part about spending your days on this lovely little island? Sharing the experience with someone who connects with the island positively for the

THE MORNING COMMUTE

Tell us something the average person or visitor to the South might not know about Daufuskie Island. Speaking for members inside of Haig Point only, visitors probably wouldn’t realize that members can order their groceries online and get them delivered to their house.

Do you see yourself living on Daufuskie one day? I don’t think I could see myself ever living full time on the island, but spending a few months out of the year would be something I would consider doing. …and just because… if you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you take with you? Guessing electronics is out of question, I would bring something to start a fire, a cutting tool, and a shotgun.

first time. My father has a saying: “Some people aren’t for Daufuskie and Daufuskie isn’t for some people.” The saying has a lot of truth in it – people love or hate it. Tell us something the average person or visitor to the South may not know about Daufuskie Island. Prior to the pollution of the Savannah River, one of the largest oyster production and canning facilities in the country existed on Daufuskie Island and the population was said to be more than 4,000.

Do you see yourself living on Daufuskie one day? I lived out here 7 years full time, and still live here 60% or more of the year. …and just because… if you were stranded on a deserted island – what three things would you take with you? 10 gallons of scrap iron, phone and its solar battery charging case, and a machete.

THE MORNING COMMUTE

JUAN RODRIGUEZ

Occupation/Company: Facilities maintenance at Haig Point

Years working on Daufuskie Island: 10 years

How do you travel to Daufuskie Island every morning? I live in Beaufort, so I travel by car for an hour and then hop on the Haig Point Ferry for the last 30 minutes.

How do you spend the morning ride over? I spend time checking my work email, reading the Bible, and talking with my colleagues.

What is your favorite part about spending your days on this lovely little island? I love spending time with my team and taking care of our members at Haig Point. Plus I also really love that it’s really quiet and people look out for each other. The best part is no car noises!

Do you see yourself living on Daufuskie one day?

I don’t see myself living here because I like having everything close – like supermarkets, hospitals and stores. I have to attend church meetings three times a week and I like to be there in person – not Zoom!

…and just because… if you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you take with you? My wife, a lot of matches, and a knife to start over!

MAU PLASCENCIA

Occupation/Company: Chef at OnDeck Diner

Years Working on Daufuskie Island: 3

How do you travel to Daufuskie Island every morning? I take the public ferry after commuting to Hilton Head from Savannah each morning and afternoon.

How long of a ride is it? The ride is now from an hour to an hour and a half due to the new ferry provider. How do you spend the morning ride over? I listen to podcasts, check social media, and take care of any business-related stuff I have to do.

What is your favorite part about spending your days on this lovely little island? I love the community and the friends I’ve made there, and I’m grateful for the support I’ve received from my fellow islanders with my food ventures.

Tell us something the average person or visitor to the South might not know about Daufuskie Island. Everyone on Daufuskie always looks out for one another. It’s such a small island that word gets out fast about anything, and I’ve been surprised at how fast people come together in a time of need to help others.

Do you see yourself living on Daufuskie one day?

I lived there for a couple of years. It’s a great place to live. The previous ferry service made it more manageable to live there and unfortunately, with this new provider, I wouldn’t see myself staying as long as I did back then. …and just because… if you were stranded on a deserted island – what three things would you take with you? A knife, rope, and a cast iron skillet.

MANNY HARGROVE

Occupation/Company: Valet at Haig Point

Years Working on Daufuskie Island: 12 years

How do you travel to Daufuskie Island every morning? Haig Point Ferry

How do you spend the morning ride over? Email. I chat with fellow passengers. Then I go to the bow of the boat to take in the fresh air and clear my mind. What is your favorite part about spending your days on this lovely little island? The interactions with members and their guests. And providing a great service to all I interact with.

Tell us something the average person or visitor to the South might not know about Daufuskie Island. The island is like a safe haven. It has a lot of history. It’s an island with no bridge and you have to arrive by boat. Daufuskie Island provides medical services, there are schools for children, we have a golf course, and the main mode of transportation on the island is golf cart. Do you see yourself living on Daufuskie one day? That would be a dream come true. I would love to live here full-time one day. …and just because… if you were stranded on a deserted island – what three things would you take with you? 1. Food 2. Book 3. Matches

THE MORNING COMMUTE

MICHAEL MURPHY

Occupation/Company: Bartender at Freeport Marina and Old Daufuskie Crab Company

Years working on Daufuskie Island: 11 years

How do you travel to Daufuskie Island every morning?

On the Island Head ferry

How long of a ride is it? 45 minutes

How do you spend the morning ride over? I spend time mentally gearing up for the craziness!

What is your favorite part about spending your days on this lovely little island? My favorite part about working over here is the relationships I’ve established over the past decade.

Do you see yourself living on Daufuskie one day? I don’t think I could ever live here full time.

…and just because… if you were stranded on a deserted island – what three things would you take with you? A case of Jameson, a clear mind, and a fishing pole. A turn table would be my fourth item.

Article and Photos by Lynne Cope Hummell

Here come the Clydesdales!

ICONIC HIGH-STEPPING HORSES FEATURED IN ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

Every year, one of the most often-asked questions on Hilton Head Island in early March is: “Are the Clydesdales coming to the parade this year?”

The queries refer to the iconic four-legged representatives of Budweiser beer commercial fame, who have participated in the Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade every couple of years or so for decades. The answer this year is a resounding “Yes!”

This year marks the 39th iteration of the island’s greenest event, which will be held on St. Patrick’s Day – Sunday, March 17, starting at 2 p.m. The time is a change from previous years.

The parade steps off on Pope Avenue near Lowcountry Celebration Park, 94 Pope Ave., and ends at Office Park Road. The beach-bound lanes of Pope Avenue will be closed at 1 p.m., with two-way traffic in the other two lanes.

The 2024 Grand Marshal for the parade was announced February 8 at Reilley’s Grill & Bar, longtime headquarters for the parade. Monty Jett, well-known in the community for his work in radio, but also recognized as the announcer’s voice for numerous nonprofit fundraisers, received his sash in a 3 p.m. ceremony, with past Grand Marshals, parade and town officials, friends, and media present.

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The Oscar Meyer Weinermobile is always a crowd favorite at the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Franny Gerthoffer, director of Hilton Head Humane, waves to parade-goers with her furry friend

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Monty Jett, radio personality and voice volunteer, was named the Grand Marshal of the 2024 Hilton Head Island

St. Patrick’s Day Parade in a ceremony February 8 at Reilley’s Grill & Bar

St. Patrick’s Day Parade. R

Even the youngest Irish lasses love the Hilton Head Island

Jett came to Hilton Head Island in 1988 from Charleston to start up the JOY 108 FM radio station. He rode in that year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade with his coworkers and has participated in the parade every year since then. For the past several years, he has served as a parade announcer at the reviewing stand after riding as a parade entry.

Jett has volunteered his emcee and announcer services for numerous local nonprofits over the years, helping to raise an estimated $30 million in donations.

Also scheduled to entertain fans in the parade are the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile, the U.S. Army Band, the Parris Island Marine Band, Navy Band Southeast, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Pipes and Drums.

Additional pipe and drum bands include the City of Limerick Ireland Pipes and Drums, New Haven County (Connecticut) Firefighters Pipes and Drums, and the Charleston, Atlanta, and Savannah pipe bands. Several area high school bands and performance troupes, including the StarMakers Dance Company’s Irish dancers and cloggers, will participate as well.

Local businesses, schools, civic clubs, and nonprofits will be represented with colorful floats, cars, trucks, boats, and other vehicles, along with local and state dignitaries.

The event is expected to draw thousands of participants and spectators of all ages from around the region. Spectators are encouraged to park at the USCB Hilton Head Campus or in parking lots of businesses that are closed on Sunday.

The parade is the capstone event of IrishFest weekend, which starts with an Irish concert the previous day, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Lowcountry Celebration Park near Coligny Circle. The free and family-friendly event features Syr, a Celtic folk rock band, along with pipe and drum bands, and the StarMakers dancers.

The evening event will include food and beverages for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to bring their chairs and stay for the duration. Coolers and pets will not be allowed.

To enter a school, business or community group in the parade, to volunteer, and for more information, visit hiltonheadireland.org. 

Photo by Carol Kavanaugh Arrington

The Main Dining Room at Benny’s Coastal Kitchen overlooks Skull Creek, with floor to ceiling windows boasting expansive water views.

Article by Lynne Cope Hummell Photography by M.Kat

Traditions Continue as Family Legacies Meld in New Restaurant

The new Benny’s Coastal Kitchen off Squire Pope Road is built on what some might call hallowed ground.

It was on this land alongside Skull Creek that the late Benny Hudson continued to build the fresh-caught seafood empire that his forebears began in the 1880s. The family has been selling seafood on the island since the days when steamboats traversed Lowcountry waters.

In the 1960s, Hudson and his family lived in a house about a mile away, also on Skull Creek, with nearby docks where he ran an oystering business. As transportation progressed – from wooden oyster bateaus to gas-powered shrimp trawlers – so did the wholesale seafood business.

Hudson enjoyed entertaining, and he had plenty of shrimp, crabs, and oysters to serve. His dinner parties soon outgrew the family home. When asked what he was going to do

The bar and lounge area of Benny’s sits to the right of the main dining room. Here, guests can enjoy a full menu and creative cocktails.

with all that seafood, he said, “I think I’ll open a restaurant.”

On the land adjacent to his house, he built Hudson’s Seafood restaurant in 1968 (with no building permit, according to his widow, Barbara).

“Charles Fraser had just started coming to the island, so everybody was by-passing the north end anyway and going to the Sea Pines area, so we were just kind of here, under the radar,” said Tonya Hudson, Benny’s daughter.

The restaurant was quite successful, adding dining room after dining room as the island population grew. Hudson sold it in 1975 to Brian Carmines, a banker from Atlanta.

These days, Carmines’ son Andrew is at the helm of the restaurant.

The sale occurred about the same time the local shrimping season was over. Shrimpers moved their boats south to Key West, Florida, where the Gulf waters were warmer. Butch Hudson, Benny’s son, was one of those shrimpers heading that way. Benny and Barbara loaded up their recently purchased Winnebago camper and, with Tonya and their dogs, headed to Key West, too.

At the end of the summer, they decided to buy a house and stay awhile. Then, sometime in 1980, Benny told his

Lively Libations

(from left to right) Palmetto Paloma, Gin Basil Bliss and Rip Tide Blackberry Smash

Chef Shaun Carter puts the finishing touches on a dish.

wife he was homesick, so they moved back to Hilton Head – on the promise that he wouldn’t open another restaurant.

He agreed.

Five years prior, Hudson had bought his parents’ home a mile down Squire Pope Road – on the property where the new restaurant sits – so they moved into that house. He decided to build “a little dock” near their house to get back into the wholesale seafood business.

As shrimpers learned he was back in town, they returned to his dock, again offloading their catch for him to sell. But, as locals discovered the dock, they began to ask to buy “just a pound or two of shrimp,” Barbara said.

Eventually, Benny started building again. This time, he bought two shipping containers from Savannah and put them together on the property – one to store the shrimp and the other to sell them.

That enterprise soon became Benny Hudson’s Seafood Market.

Tonya was in college, and Benny wanted to get Barbara “out of his hair,” she said. Once again, he started building, and created a 10,000-square-foot furniture store on the property, closer to the road. When Tonya came home from college, she helped her mother with the store.

It was in that store that Barbara met Diane Reilley, wife of Tom Reilley, who had opened Reilley’s, an Irish pub on the island’s south end, in 1982. This was the beginning of many circles that began to intersect and are still connecting.

“She came in and said that they needed a bed,” said Barbara, who worked with her to order and deliver the bed she wanted.

In 1988, Benny contracted spinal meningitis and was in a coma for three months, Barbara said. “After that, he slowed down a good bit,” she said. He was blind in one eye, had a tracheotomy tube in his neck, and got to the point he could barely walk, but none of that stopped him.

His next project was to build a railway, a structure used to pull boats out of the water to be cleaned or painted. The rail still exists and is being used by a boat maintenance company.

“It’s the last one, I think, from Jacksonville all the way up to the Cape – one of the last working railways,” Tonya said. “And Daddy built it. He pulled one boat before he passed.”

Hudson died in April 1997.

But his legacy and his history will live on in Benny’s Coastal Kitchen, said Brendan Reilley of Coastal Restaurants and Bars (CRAB), which comprises nine other restaurants,

The View

Watch the coming and going of boats in and out of Skull Creek while you enjoy lunch or dinner.

Oysters served chilled on the half shell with a bit of bubbly on the side.

Brazilian Fish Stew Coconut milk, shrimp, clams, fish, scallops, Carolina Gold rice

including the original Reilley’s that was started by his parents, Tom and Diane.

“My goal is to have the story – the history – displayed as you walk up to the second floor,” Reilley said.

The 9,000-square-foot restaurant has two stories, with seating for 210 downstairs and 90 upstairs, where there is also a rooftop bar.

The contemporary building features sleek lines and lots of windows. As with most restaurants built on the water, the view is of paramount importance.

The restaurant was designed by local architect Tom Parker, president of Parker Design Group, and built by Shoreline Construction. Interior design was done locally by Caroline Hamburg with CSH Designs. Most furnishings were custombuilt by Nautical Furnishings of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The original seafood market, which Tonya now runs, is no longer on the docks, but has moved into the building that used to house the furniture store. About one-third of the building was demolished, making room for a parking lot in front.

The boat maintenance operation near the rail will continue to operate as well.

“None of the businesses on the land should be disrupted by the restaurant,” Reilley said.

In addition to preserving businesses on the property, the ownership of the property is being preserved as well. Barbara still owns it and leases it to the CRAB group.

How that arrangement came about involves more circles.

“We got the connection with Barbara through Janice Heuck, who is our neighbor at Fishcamp,” Reilley said. Fishcamp is a CRAB restaurant located on the site of Simmons Fishing Camp, where Gullah waterman Charlie Simmons had a general store, and where he ferried folks back and forth to Savannah on his boat.

Heuck lives next door to Fishcamp, and she works at Benny Hudson’s Seafood Market with Tonya.

Heuck was pleased with how Reilley worked with the Simmons family on that property, and the fact that the CRAB Group is leasing the land from them – the same kind of arrangement he worked out with the Hudson family. She knew Reilley because he went to school with her son.

“Janice was really happy with us and how we did things there, so when Barbara told her, ‘I’m looking to do something different,’ she said, ‘Call Brendan,’” Reilley said.

Over the years, Barbara had gotten numerous offers from developers and other entities who wanted to buy their prime waterfront property on Skull Creek.

“We called them the ‘suits’ – these guys would get out of these big cars in their three-piece suits and say, ‘We’ve got an idea!’” Tonya said. Some had plans drawn up, but all of them wanted to build something huge, from condos, timeshares, and affordable housing to an embarkation for a gambling boat.

None of the offers felt right to Barbara. But the discussion that started with Reilley about five years ago was different.

“I had a good feeling about him from the start,” Barbara said. “I felt like I knew him because I knew Tom, and he is a man of good character. I knew from personal conversations that he was a straight shooter. You’re not raised in a household like that without some of that fluffing on you.”

Her daughter agreed.

“The other thing I think that really hit us with Brendan was he came at us like nobody else could because his main goal was to meld the Reilley and the Hudson history together,” Tonya said.

“When you do a deal, it has to be a win-win,” Reilley said. “And for us, this was a win-win. It wasn’t either one of us trying to take advantage of the other.”

CRAB broke ground on the restaurant in November 2022, after several years of planning, drawings, permitting, and such. As early as last August, the CRAB team planned to open February 5 this year. “I’ll be very disappointed if we are not open by Valentine’s Day,” Reilley said at the time.

After months of hard work, it was time for the final push.

“We had the staff hired and ready. It was stressful on a lot of us, for sure,” Reilley said recently. “It took a group effort and a big push from our contractor to get that done.”

Butter Lettuce Salad

Tomato, sweet peppers, strawberry champagne vinaigrette, toasted pistachios, feta crouton

Benny’s Coastal Kitchen opened as planned on February 5, with more than 200 diners that evening.

“Opening night was an emotional roller coaster. You are running on fumes to get everything completed – exhausted and excited at the same time,” Reilley said. “I felt super confident in our team. I already knew we had the best executive chef, Shaun Carter, and sous chef, Wes Waters, on the island. The rest of the team had only been in the building a few days, but the energy was all positive and they all had the same mindset to be better than anyone expects. I think we did that Day One and will continue to make things better and better every day.”

Among those first guests were Tonya and Barbara Hudson. Reilley said Barbara intentionally had not seen the inside of the building since framing.

“We had a few surprises for her, like the hanging boat chandelier ‘Barbara H’ and the history map,” Reilley said. “I am so thankful for the two of them and the trust they put in me to put this project together.”

Tonya said the atmosphere and the food were “fantastic.”

But what struck them most was the way the Benny Hudson story was shared.

“He (Brendan) couldn’t have done a more thoughtful presentation,” Tonya said, choking back tears. “The details, the way the pictures are framed, and the placards explaining the photographs and maps. … You can tell there was just so much consideration and thoughtfulness in the way they did it.”

Asked what his personal interest was in the idea of preserving local legacies of land, Reilley said, “I just don’t want to take something that somebody’s had in their family for that long.”

As a man who was born on the island, where most of his family still resides, Reilley has learned the importance of honoring the history of place and the people who helped make Hilton Head Island what it is.

“The restaurant, although it’s not going to be five generations – it’s not going to be 200 years old – it is going to have the history of the Hudson family,” Reilley said. “When you’re there, you should be able to feel and hear and read part of that history.” 

Benny’s Coastal Kitchen is located at 75 Shrimpers Row, off Squire Pope Road on Hilton Head Island. Hours are daily, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, visit bennyshiltonhead.com.

Grilled Scallops

Farro pilaf, chimichurri, Caulilini

ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN

No (B)risk, No Reward

BLUFFTON PLUNGERS BRAVE THE MAY RIVER’S FRIGID DEPTHS IN PURSUIT OF HEALTH

Maddie McRae was a 14-year-old black lab who, like many dogs her age, was starting to slow down. While she could still get around OK, it was clear that her advanced age was leading to some uncomfortable inflammation. Watching her scuffle about the house, her owner Brent Whitaker had an idea.

“I knew cold water was good for inflammation, so I took her down to Alljoy and let her swim and retrieve,” he said. “One time in mid-winter when she was out swimming, I thought, ‘Why don’t I get in?’ So I did, and when I got out, I felt awesome. I felt like I had so much energy.”

This started Brent’s journey as a plunger. These days you see Instagram influencers of all kinds hopping into bespoke tubs of ice water and touting

Addison Altizer, Tom Rogers, Jason Yoder, kneeling Nick Hoffman, Morgan Crutchley, Eric Elder, Adam Ormsbee, Yo boy Kevin, Anthony Bautista, Blanca Luna, Rob Fortson, kneeling, Chad Craig (far back) Christine Wrobel, Brent Whitaker, Matt Messenger (far back) Tim Niemiec, Phillip Burgling, Mark Berglind, Joe Almeida,Benny Mullins, Mike Anderson, Eric Olsen, Gerrett Talarczyk

the numerous health benefits of a cold plunge, but Whitaker came upon it organically. And so did a few of his friends.

Herman Kramer, another Bluffton resident, drove by one day and noticed Whitaker swimming out in the freezing waters of the May. “He told me I was crazy. Now he tells me he feels crazy if he doesn’t do it,” Whitaker said. “We just kept talking about how great we felt, mentally and physically, and how nice it felt to be out in the river.”

Within a few months, the two of them had gathered a huge following of fellow plungers. Talking it up with his fellow CrossFitters swelled the ranks, to the point where some of the group’s daily plunges see around 30 people splashing in the May River’s brisk winter waters.

As the group grew, Whitaker discovered more about the many health benefits that come from a cold plunge – not only does it noticeably stem inflammation, but the body’s adjustment to the cold skyrockets metabolism, while releasing a lymphatic stew of stress-busting chemicals from adrenaline to norepinephrine.

“The amount of dopamine that gets released during a plunge is twice the amount released from cocaine,” Whitaker said. “That’s why it gets addictive, because you’re dialed in for three to four hours after.”

Essentially, a cold-water plunge is a way to shock your body into releasing all the feel-good chemicals it has to offer, soothing aching muscles and turbocharging your system. For Eric Pollock, it’s been a tremendous way to take the edge off his exercise regimen. “Plunging has helped tremendously in addressing anxiety and depression symptoms while aiding in recovery from intense workouts,” he said.

Another plunger, Nick Hoffman, cites an entire list of reasons why he braves the cold, including the mental boost, the test of mettle, and being with a group of like-minded daredevils. “Basically, it’s either a good reset for a bad day or a way to get your day started right,” he said. “Being new to town, the camaraderie of finding a group of fellow lunatics to jump in a cold river together” has become important to him.

For one devoted plunger, Christine Wrobel, the urge to dive into the iciest

A

Jewels keeps an eye on the Bluffton Plungers from the dock.

water tolerable stemmed from breathing techniques she was already pursuing for mindfulness and meditation.

“Jumping in, you’re immediately immersed. That’s where breathing techniques are helpful, because you have to get control of your breath,” she said. “A lot of us have learned to center and control our breath during intense physical activity. It’s easier to put that into practice when something like this is happening. … You’re able to breathe through stress.”

During the warmer months Wrobel will plunge in a tub, but for her there’s something about being out in the

May once the temperature drops below 50 degrees. “If you talk to any of the locals, they’ll tell you that May River water heals everything from a broken heart to skin problems,” she said.

You might call the Bluffton Plungers crazy. But one chilly dive into the May’s icy waves might just make a believer out of you.

“It’s a good group of people,” Whitaker said. “And the heart behind it is we want people to be aware of the benefits.” 

Starting bottom right: Joe Almeida, Matt Messenger, Brent Whitaker, Ashley Buis, Eric Elder, Blanca Luna, Chad Craig, Jason Yoder, Addison Alter, Morgan Crutchley, Nick Hoffman, Anthony Bautista, Christine Wrobel, Herman Kramer

B

Dr. Kamal Patel knew from an early age that healthcare was his calling.

Article by Barry Kaufman . Photography by M.Kat

Focusing on Health

In a new office at Bluffton Centre, Lotus Health is creating a space for healing

Dr. Kamal Patel knew from an early age that healthcare was his calling. But as he built his career in medicine, he realized that his childhood dream of helping patients lead healthier lives was often at odds with the financial realities of modern healthcare.

“For a lot of physicians, including myself, it’s been a volume-driven entity, especially in primary care. We see a lot of patients and manage quite a few lives,” Dr. Patel said. In his previous practice, he found himself with nearly 2,000 patients in his panel. “It’s not something I felt was sustainable. That’s not why I got into primary care. I wanted to be an advocate for patients and be there for them on acute basis and in long term.”

Knowing that he wanted to provide more for his patients than the traditional model would allow, Dr. Patel began exploring the growing field of concierge medicine. By

limiting his number of patients, he found he could give each of those patients the attention and care they truly needed to thrive.

“I’d had a few friends and colleagues pursue concierge medicine, and they all spoke positively about it. I did a little bit of soul searching and decided this was the right thing to do,” Dr. Patel said.

And so it was that on November 1, 2022, Dr. Patel’s life-long dream of providing honest and attentive care to his patients came true and Lotus Health was born. Members of his new practice get the full benefit of Dr. Patel’s expertise, experience, and attention, whether it’s long-term management of chronic conditions, same-day visits for acute problems or just regular check-ups for preventive care, patients at Lotus Health get the kind of handson medicine we all deserve.

“The limited membership allows us to comfortably handle a smaller population of

With Lotus Health, Dr. Kamal Patel is rewriting the rulebook of medicine –one where the patient comes first.

patients. My typical visit with a patient can now last up to an hour, where before it was 15 minutes and I was usually running 30 minutes behind,” he said. “Now time isn’t an enemy, it’s an ally. We can really dive into each individual and customize their care plan based on where we as a team need it to be.”

With time now on his side, Dr. Patel not only could see his patients for longer, he started to see the business of medicine in an entirely new light. “It’s really helped me realize how much of a divide there is between what we can do and what medicine is under an insurance-based model. It’s really not health care, it’s sick care,” he said.

Members of his new practice get the full benefit of Dr. Patel’s expertise, experience and attention, whether it’s long-term management of chronic conditions, same-day visits for acute problems or just regular check-ups for preventive care, patients at Lotus Health get the kind of hands-on medicine we all deserve.

“The concierge model handles sick care, but the focus is really on well care, which is where we all want it to be.”

With the support of loyal membership, his practice will now grow into a brand-new location on Bluffton Parkway. Just as the concierge model has allowed Dr. Patel to redefine the care he can offer, this new location will be his way of changing what a doctor’s office can offer.

Rather than the austerity and imposing spaces of a traditional office, the new Lotus Health will be a calming space, with areas set aside for wellness and an overall vibe that leans more toward a high-end spa than a medical practice.

“We really wanted to modernize the feeling of being in a doctor’s office,” Dr. Patel said. “They’ve found that simply walking into a typical doctor’s office can raise one’s blood pressure. I don’t want that negative connotation. I want it to feel like you’re walking into a spa or your favorite restaurant.”

With Lotus Health, Dr. Kamal Patel is rewriting the rulebook of medicine – one where the patient comes first, the patient’s time is valued, and the patient’s health is the highest priority, with wellbeing at the center of it all. 

To learn more, visit lotushealthmd.com.

“It was great to see the owls,” I said. She smiled.

“Yes. They’re wild things, of course. Killers, savages. They’re wonderful.”

– David Almond, Skellig

ARTICLE BY CHERYL RICER

TIGERS OF THE AIR

HILTON HEAD LAND TRUST NEST HOST TO GREAT HORNED OWL

With their long, earlike tufts, intimidating yellow-eyed stare, and deep hooting voice, great horned owls are the quintessential owls of storybooks. These fearless and powerful predators, nicknamed Tigers of the Air, thrive at the top of the food chain. They can take down birds and mammals even larger than themselves and, like other top predators, their only real threat is human.

The great horned owl is opportunistic – even aggressive – when it comes to nesting behaviors, typically poaching in a nest 20 to 60 feet above the ground that was built by other large birds, such as hawk, eagle, crow, or heron. A bit lazy, the owls add little or no nest material to the stolen nest except maybe feathers from time to time. This nestpoaching behavior is the reason that Hilton Head Island now has a pair of these world-famous owls.

But before we get to that, a little back story is interesting:

In 2021, the now-celebrated, live-streaming Hilton Head

Island Land Trust (HHILT) Nest was discovered in the wild by Russell Patterson, local attorney. He spotted an eagle in flight and followed it. Eventually the eagle perched in a tree and Patterson saw a female in a nest. He then deduced that there were eggs being incubated.

Patterson contacted the landowner where the tree was located and got permission to mount a camera to observe the entire process. As a result, the Hilton Head eagles became somewhat of a global phenomenon on what is now dubbed the Raptor Cam, with viewers eagerly awaiting the eagle hatchlings, who did finally arrive.

“Our mission at the Land Trust is to preserve and protect our natural habitat as well as significant land on Hilton Head,” said Robin Storey, HHILT treasurer and board member. “Plus, we educate people on why this mission is important to all of us. The local wildlife is part of our human habitat, and they – like us – enjoy our natural habitat. So, it’s important

to have balance between the two. The livestream video of the nest helps people understand that balance.”

In 2022, viewers watched two eaglets hatch but, unfortunately, both contracted the avian influenza and died. The eaglets fell out of the nest a day apart. Storey took the first one to the Birds of Prey Avian Clinic outside Charleston, and Patterson took the second one the next day.

While it took the avian clinic staff a while to figure out what was happening, the fact that HHILT was streaming the entire time and had video to share allowed the veterinarians to observe the symptoms and effects of the avian flu.

Last year, though the eagles returned to the nest, they didn’t stay. However, the nest didn’t remain uninhabited. Other birds visited the nest, including the great horned owl poachers, who didn’t stay long. HHILT members believe that last year was likely their “practice season.” After that, some ospreys took it over but didn’t stay either. Then, in September, the same pair of great horned owls returned and began courting and working in the nest.

The Hilton Head Island Land Trust has a tradition of naming nesting pairs after significant people in Hilton Head

Bayley

and owlet cuddle on a cold morning in February.

Island History. The female owl, Bayley, is named in honor of John Bayley of Ballinclough, County Tipperary, Ireland. John Bayley was granted a 48,000-acre barony in 1698, which included Hilton Head Island. This land remained in possession of the Bayley family until roughly 1722, when it was divided into parcels, with many of the boundaries remaining recognizable today.

The male owl is named Joshua, for Gen. Joshua Howell, for whom Fort Howell on Hilton Head Island was named. Gen. Howell was killed during the Siege of Petersburg in 1864. The 32nd U.S. Colored Infantry constructed the fort to protect the nearby Freedmen’s town of Mitchelville. General John G. Foster named the post Fort Howell in honor of the fallen general.

“Our first egg was laid on January 2, and our second egg was on January 6,” Storey said. “They usually lay anywhere from a couple of days apart to five days apart. For the past few months, we’ve watched Bayley do pretty much all the incubation.”

Joshua’s job is to hunt. He goes out and gets the food, brings it to her in the nest, or she goes to him on his roost

Joshua and Bayley put on a show for Hilton Head Land & Trust’s Raptor Cam

and gets the food. Meanwhile, Bayley sits anywhere from 28 days to 35 days before they hatch. The average incubation is 33 days.

The nest has welcomed two new members, HH5 and HH6. These names signify that they are the fifth and sixth hatchlings in the history of the Hilton Head Island Land Trust Raptor Cam. HH5 hatched on February 5 at 10:09 p.m., while HH6 made its entrance into the world from its egg at 3 a.m. February 8. While HH5 was captured on camera being fed by Bayley, HH6 was camera-shy early on.

Like eagles, great horned owls mate for life. They also tend to stay in the same territory year after year, which explains why they’ve returned to the HHILT nest. They are a protected species, so their natural life span ranges from 20 to 30 years.

The HHILT operates with the goal to ensure the safety of these and all wildlife. To that end, they remind us to be aware that the rodent poison used in our yards and around the home is harmful to birds that digest the rodents. The HHILT encourages us to abstain from using poison and to make an effort to let the birds be the natural pest controllers they are created to be.

When the owlets are born, they have only a few downy feathers, so for the first week to 10 days, they are blind and not moving around much. The female will stay with them during that time to keep them warm because they don’t have any feathers. They will eat only meat – rodents, squirrel, possums, rabbits and such, which the male provides.

At birth the young weighs 1.22 oz. on average and can gain about 1.2 oz. a day for the first four weeks of life with typical weights in the range of 1.8 or 2.2 pounds by 25 to 29 days for males and females, respectively. Full grown females weigh more than males – 3.5 pounds on average to the male’s 2.7 pounds.

“The owlets will stay in that nest until they start branching out, which is usually five weeks of age,” Storey said. “But even then, they stay in the area close with their parents for up to nine months because they must learn how to do the hunting before they are independent. So, we’ll be able to watch them for quite a while from the raptor cam, which is nice.”

The biggest predator of the owlet while they’re in the nest is another raptor. The owlet can fall prey if mom or dad are gone, or they could fall out of the nest. If the owlets survive, a long productive life is possible.

Next year, if the parents are still together, they’ll come back and have another brood, and viewers can watch them lay new eggs, see the owlets hatching, and watch their great horned owl family grow. In the meantime, perhaps other raptors will visit and begin families of their own.

Beyond the Raptor Cam and protecting the wildlife that thrives on Hilton Head Island, the HHILT focuses its efforts on the preservation of protected properties, which include Fort Howell, the Whooping Crane Pond Conservancy, the Cypress Conservancy, the Northridge tracts, and the Museum Street property.

HHILT corporate sponsors include the Russell Patterson Law Firm, which has been a sponsor since the inception of the Land Trust. Hargray is a valued sponsor that provides the internet to the tree where the nest is. Monster Tree Service, which has done some work for the Land Trust at Fort Howell, is another sponsor. 

To watch the Raptor Cam and to learn more, become a member, or to donate to the HHILT, visit HHILandTrust.org.

Photography by M.Kat

A LINE IN THE SAND

COURTNEY’S OPINION:

AI is cheating...don’t do it for class projects!

The threat of artificial intelligence (AI) taking our jobs has stolen headlines of late. Last week Law & Order framed a guy for murder using AI. Last month, Barry found that even his social media channels were asking if he’d like help crafting a post – to which he obviously replied with something along the lines of “I’m a writer, I don’t need help writing.”

But like most of our debates, the question Facebook posed to Barry prompted a text exchange and alas, we landed on this month’s topic.

Barry asked AI to argue in favor of itself, which AI happily did, given its lack of humility and situational awareness paired with its enormous ego.

For me, I recalled with a chuckle a situation I encountered in December, as the semester at USCB ended. A lot has changed for me and for students since I started teaching at the college level in 2002.

First, social media appeared, and students found that while being my “friend” on Facebook could be cool, it also had the potential to backfire. When Maria told me that she’d be missing class to attend her aunt’s funeral and I subsequently saw the photos she posted from Disney World

she was caught and quickly learned the “Don’t post anything on social media that you wouldn’t want your grandmother or college instructor to see” lesson.

In addition, the internet made plagiarism easier. University and college libraries went digital with resources for downloading every journal article ever penned, which made copy-and-paste a literal click (or two) of the button. Frankly, on the teaching side, Google made catching a plagiarizer easier than ever.

AI is the next technological hiccup in the “how the heck do we get students to do their own work” conundrum.

At the end of the fall semester, one of my students threw a Hail Mary, completing his final two assignments and five extra credit assignments overnight. This was a remarkable feat, given his inability to produce more than half of his assignments during the first 15 weeks of the regular semester schedule.

These late-night miracles appeared to me to be a product of AI generation. The work was not consistent with the previous work he had completed but, more importantly, the work lacked the human/personal element that I would expect in these assignments. For example, he wrote and delivered his final “tribute” speech about me (no doubt part of the Hail Mary play), but all the references were about “the teacher.” My name was not in the narrative anywhere – nary a nod to Ms. Hampson. He also stumbled over several words during his presentation, as if reading them for the first time.

A LINE IN THE SAND

I am a firm believer in the concept that if you had written and practiced the speech you would have known how to pronounce those words and/or swapped them out if you struggled with them.

One of my assignments is a group project that requires the students to identify a local nonprofit and spend one three-hour class period volunteering. This class chose the Deep Well Project and worked in their food pantry unloading, sorting, and shelving nonperishables.

Unfortunately, the reaction paper the student wrote about the experience addressed their “passion for environmental stewardship,” which is not the takeaway from an afternoon dedicated to food insecurity and feeding families at Thanksgiving.

But I suspect that asking AI to generate a paper about the Deep Well Project might return a result related to water and wells. Sigh.

So, alas, my position on using AI is that it is cheating. Maybe that is easy to say for someone who loves writing and considers herself a creative (and a rule follower). USCB has policies that are quite explicit about what can happen if a student uses others’ work – including AI – on course assignments. The AI-generated work belongs to the AI, not to the student. Eek.

Needless to say, I took this semester off to gather my thoughts … and instead, I shared them here. 

BARRY’S OPINION:

Team Human. AI isn’t better than us...yet.

ChatGPT says:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an indispensable tool in various aspects of our lives, revolutionizing industries, enhancing efficiency, and contributing to significant advancements. One of its key contributions lies in automating repetitive tasks, allowing humans to focus on more complex and creative endeavors. This increased efficiency translates into cost savings for businesses and improved productivity.

AI’s impact extends beyond business, touching fields such as healthcare, where it aids in diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and drug discovery. The ability of AI algorithms to analyze vast amounts of medical data enables quicker and more accurate diagnoses, ultimately saving lives. In research and development, AI accelerates innovation by predicting outcomes, simulating scenarios, and identifying patterns that might elude human researchers.

The integration of AI into everyday devices has transformed the way we interact with technology. Virtual assistants, powered by AI, understand natural language and assist users with tasks, schedules, and information retrieval. AI-driven recommendation systems enhance our entertainment experience, suggesting movies, music, or products based on individual preferences.

In education, AI facilitates personalized learning experiences, adapting to students’ needs and providing targeted support. It automates administrative tasks for educators, freeing up time for more meaningful interactions with students. Additionally, AI-driven tools aid in the assessment of educational outcomes, ensuring a more comprehensive understanding of students’ progress.

In the realm of transportation, AI plays a crucial role in the development of autonomous vehicles, promising safer and more efficient transportation systems. AI algorithms analyze traffic patterns, optimize routes, and contribute to the overall improvement of urban mobility.

However, it’s crucial to approach the expansion of AI with ethical considerations in mind. Striking a balance between innovation and responsible use is essential to harness the full potential of AI while minimizing potential risks. As we continue to advance in AI technology, its utility will likely expand, offering solutions to complex challenges and reshaping the way we live and work.

Barry says:

ChatGPT makes some valid points up there. (Possibly. I zoned out halfway through reading it.) But today seems like a particularly good day for me to show this robot how human beings make a point. For one thing, I’m writing this on the seventh anniversary of the day I decided to quit my job and write full time, depending solely on my ability to tap a keyboard to feed my family.

For another, I’ve just completed my biannual marathon of only the bad Terminator sequels, so I’ve seen how even crappy writing can topple the mightiest of machines.

So, it’s time to put my own crappy writing to work in joining the human resistance to this cybernetic menace before it’s too late. (If possible, you might want to put on Brad Fiedel’s suite from “The Terminator” while you read this). Because when I think about AI, there’s one word I keep coming back to: “Yet.” It’s a powerful word, if you think about it.

Because “yet” encompasses all the things AI can’t do. “Yet”

can imagine words that haven’t already been written, find pathways that don’t exist. “Yet” doesn’t stand on the shoulders of giants; “yet” provides a shoulder for the next giant to stand on.

It’s a word that encompasses the human capacity for imagination, adding new ideas to the world rather than remixing old ones.

When I see how terrible AI is at writing, I always come back to the word “yet.” Because I’ve read what AI writes, and right now it’s awful. I’ve dabbled in using ChatGPT as a writing assistant, and it felt like I was working with someone who was trying really hard not to let on how drunk they were.

For example, I asked it to proofread a menu behind me for one client. ChatGPT kept insisting I had misspelled the word “mediterrean,” a word that, while technically a typo, appeared nowhere in the document I’d asked it to proof. Willing to give the robot a second chance, I asked it to write some photo captions for another client. ChatGPT then gave me several variations on “boy this sure is a nifty photo” before I decided to call it an Uber and give it the rest of the day off to sober up.

So ChatGPT can’t do what I do. But then along comes that word. “Yet.”

Because it’s only a matter of time before ChatGPT can do what I do as well as I can. And before long, it will be able to do what you do, whatever it is. It doesn’t even need to be your job. By virtue of reading this, you are under threat of being replaced as the intended audience for what I’m writing. Already we have publications like Sports Illustrated laying off their entire staff in place of AI writers. These bots will write content that will be read by other bots on search engines to drive clicks, their words trickling down to humanity only after the machines are done entertaining one another.

It’s an existential threat, not just to writers or educators. Already we’re seeing it seep into politics, throwing the whole world into chaos. OK, further into chaos. Like 12% more chaotic than it already is. So we need to band together – not just mortal enemies like Courtney and me. All of us. Doctors. Lawyers. Librarians. Bus drivers. Mail carriers. Politicians, or at least the ones that are actually human.

If you’re human, you’ve got skin in the game. If you’re a machine, you’re winning this round.

But we’ll be back.

My name is Barry Kaufman. I’m no John Connor, but if you’re reading this, you are the resistance. 

Article by Sheila Tucker . Photography by M.Kat

BUILDING A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP

They tentatively enter the therapy room, unsure if they should look cozy on the sofa or be true to themselves and sit in separate chairs. Thoughts of “What will the therapist think?” and “How did we get here?’ swirl through their heads.

“Please sit anywhere,” I say, interrupting their internal chatter. “No, I can’t read your mind,” I interject. “It’s common for couples to overthink their seat of choice on their first visit. Go with whatever is most comfortable. Really. It doesn’t matter.”

A collective sigh and a sense of relief falls over their faces as one opts for the sofa and the other for the club chair. I make my usual introductions and then ask one of my typical first-session questions: “What are your greatest hopes for our session today?”

As I note their answers, it occurs to me that building a solid relationship with one’s partner is a lot like constructing a sturdy home. The art of relationship building requires careful planning and patience, the right skills, and a touch of artistry to create something that withstands the tests of time and weather. The

art of relationship building is a nuanced dance that combines curiosity, communication, and a sprinkle of humor. Plus, I love metaphors.

The Blueprint: Shared Values and Goals

Drawing a blueprint of your new home or remodel requires everyone to be on the same page. It’s a vision of its creators, aligning values and aspirations. In relationship speak, this involves identifying shared or complementary values and goals.

Consider this the blueprint for your collective future. Questions to consider are: What are your individual and shared goals? How do your values align or complement each other? Or even, what are your greatest hopes for this session?

Like any successful project, a solid relationship requires a clear plan and a shared vision.

The Foundation: Trust and Communication

Any architect will tell you that a strong foundation is essential for the stability of any structure. In the realm of relationships, trust and communication form the bedrock upon which everything else is built.

I suppose you could see trust as the glue that binds individuals together. Like a well-made cement mixture, it requires time, consistency, and vulnerability to cure just right.

Meanwhile, communication is the support that connects hearts and minds. It’s not just about speaking your mind but also about active listening and a whole lot of curiosity. Imagine communication as a two-way street, where understanding and curiosity flow in both directions.

You lay the groundwork by being open, honest, and genuinely interested in what your partner has to say. A relationship without effective communication

is like a home with missing support beams – unstable and likely unable to weather a tropical storm.

The Construction Phase: Patience and Understanding

Oh, the construction phase. Brace yourself for the challenges that inevitably arise during the building process. If you’ve ever built a home or remodeled a space, you’re probably well aware of the additional time and resources it can take.

Much like construction projects, relationships inevitably encounter unforeseen obstacles, unexpected weather conditions, and occasional setbacks. This is where patience, curiosity, and understanding become your trusted tools.

Patience is the virtue that often holds your relationship together during challenging times. It’s the ability to weather storms without losing sight of the bigger picture. Checking in, becoming curious about what you’re experiencing during these times, and seeking clarity all help to lay the groundwork for increased understanding.

Keep in mind that imperfections are part of the construction process, and what matters most is your commitment and consistency to weathering the ups and downs together.

The Decor: Shared Experiences and Laughter

Now that the structural work is nearing completion, it’s time to add the finishing touches – the decor that makes your relationship uniquely yours. Shared experiences, whether grand adventures or simple moments of joy, contribute to your connection.

Laughter, often underestimated, is the vibrant paint that brings color to the walls of your relationship. A shared sense of humor can turn the mundane into the extraordinary and transform challenges into opportunities for amusement. Finding the humor in everyday happenings will create goodwill to draw upon during those complicated times.

You might even discover that laughter is the secret sauce to keeping your relationship light-hearted and resilient.

The Maintenance: Regular Checkups and Repairs

Even the most well-built structures require maintenance to stay in tip-top shape, and relationships are no different. Regular checkups are essential to ensure that your connection remains strong and healthy. This involves taking the time to reflect on your individual and collective needs, addressing any issues that may have arisen, and making necessary repairs.

Think of relationship maintenance as an ongoing process rather than a one-time task. Regular communication about the two of you, date nights, and expressions of love and appreciation are the tools in your maintenance kit.

Just as a home undergoes inspections and repairs to ensure its longevity, your relationship benefits from the attention and care you invest in it.

A Masterpiece in Progress

Relationships are the masterpieces that tell the story of our connections with others. Building a solid relationship is a continuous, evolving process that requires creativity, dedication, and a willingness to adapt. Your relationship is a masterpiece in progress – one in which you and your partner have an opportunity to create lasting moments of love, trust, and shared experiences.

Leaning into the metaphors, the couple speaks openly about their hopes for their relationship and reimagines their early dating days. They noticed their communications were less about them and more about household management and children. Remembering how they’d made it through the hard time before, they began to see a path forward.

As we wrap up our session, I suggest they practice embracing their relationship with curiosity, a sense of humor, and a playful spirit. “Slow down, get curious, and check in with yourself and each other seeking clarity, and don’t forget to add a little fun,” I advise. “Each moment together is an opportunity to grow goodwill within your relationship.”

Disclaimer: Reviving a relationship can be hard work. And sometimes, no amount of rebuilding will salvage its brokenness. If you find yourself repeating the same patterns that just aren’t working, it might be time to contact a therapist or your church’s counseling center. If I can be of any help, please let me know. 

*Although conversations similar to those above happen in therapy, this article does not depict a specific client’s therapy session.

HHCA Marches Broadway Musical Classic onto the Stage

Hilton Head Christian Academy (HHCA) Fine Arts has been preparing all year to dazzle audiences with its grandscale rendition of Meredith Willson’s classic musical, The Music Man, which will take place March 21-23 at the Seahawk Cultural Center.

Directed by Michelle McElroy-Cox, HHCA assistant director of fine arts, the production boasts a talented cast and crew of students from fourth through 12th grades. McElroy-Cox, who is celebrating 15 years with the school, said, “We are always excited to bring excellent performances to our community and The Music Man is no exception. Our students have poured their hearts and souls into this production, and we cannot wait to share their talent and passion with our audience.”

Among the show’s cast, tech crew, student production team, and live orchestra, more than 70 students will be involved, nearly 20 of whom are seniors. The two leads – Connor White (Harold Hill) and Emma Kate Dalzell (Marian) – won Best Actor and Best Actress in this fall’s SCISA State One-Act Competition. White also performed in Jersey Boys last summer at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, and Dalzell recently co-directed Main Stage Community Theatre’s production of Into the Woods, Jr. alongside fellow cast member Millie Gilbreath (Mrs. Paroo; double cast with Audry Atkins).

James Berry, HHCA director of fine arts and the show’s musical director, will conduct a 20-piece live orchestra composed of students and professional musicians. Touted as “One of the sunniest musicals ever” by the New York Times, The Music Man features favorites like “Trouble,” “Goodnight My Someone,” and, of course, “Seventy-Six Trombones.”

Jamal Edwards’ choreography will have audiences dancing in their seats, and impeccable costuming by Kathy McGill brings it all to life and captures the essence of the era.

This Tony Award-winning classic is Americana at its best. The sleepy rural town of River City, Iowa, receives an unexpected visit from a fast-talking traveling con man named Harold Hill. Along with his charm, he brings big dreams and a grand promise of a marching band. But the smooth-talking swindler can’t tell a trombone from a treble clef – and Marian, the local librarian, knows it. In his attempt to steal her heart (and save his hide), Harold learns a thing or two about moral responsibility – and unexpectedly enriches the town with a love of music.

With elaborate set designs, vibrant costumes, and a live orchestra bringing Willson’s unforgettable score to life, The Music

Marian Paroo (Emma Kate Dalzell) and Professor Harold Hill (Connor White)

The iconic Pic-A-Little Ladies and Eulalie Shinn (Maya Norcross) look upon Miss Marian with disdain.

Man promises to be an unforgettable theatrical experience for audiences of all ages. Whether one is a longtime fan of the musical or experiencing it for the first time, this production is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.

Performances will be held March 21-23 at 7 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on March 23. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students/seniors and are available at hhca.org/musicman.

Seahawk Cultural Center is located at 70 Wilborn Road on Hilton Head Island.

Hilton Head Christian Academy (HHCA) is an independent Christian school serving students in Kindergarten through 12th grade offering comprehensive academics, athletics, and fine arts programs. Founded in 1979 on Hilton Head Island, HHCA, now located in Bluffton, has remained steadfast in its vision “To Know Christ and Make Him Known.” Learn more at hhca.org. 

Hilton Head Ireland’s Downtown

ON ST. PATRICK’S PARADE DAY, THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE COLIGNY TO EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC

It’s a day circled in green on locals’ calendars every year – the Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade, held this year on March 17. All signs point to this year’s parade being one for the record books – not just because, due to the serendipity of the calendar, the parade will be held on St. Patrick’s Day.

No, that heightened energy is infusing the entire weekend surrounding the parade, from the earlier start time of 2 p.m. to the appearance of the Budweiser Clydesdales at the parade, to the Shamrock Run 5K held the day before.

And while the entire length of Pope Avenue will be giving way to the greatest party you’ve ever experienced, the real fun will happen at one end of it, where great live music and laughter will pour forth from the emerald-tinted celebration central of Coligny Plaza.

The entire plaza will be a sea of green-clad revelers, but two places in particular will serve as anchors for the open-air extravaganza. First stop, The Frosty Frog, a place where even your average Tuesday is a party. For parade day, they have the party started early with legendary local rock band Cranford Hollow taking the stage before the parade. They’ll be followed by the crowd-pumping sound of Groove Town Assault.

“It was a real collective effort between us and Coligny to put on this show during the parade,” said Frosty Frog’s Rusty Jacquiss. “The parking lot gets blocked off, everyone enjoys a little pre-parade fun, and you get to see all the

people you haven’t seen in a while.”

But a party like the Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade demands more entertainment than any one stage could provide. The true festival atmosphere of the day will see dueling live music performances, as The Sandbar sets up its own stage right along the parade route.

Pretty Darn will take that stage at 11 a.m., playing their crowd-pleasing acoustic jams, flanked by a Tito’s Bloody Mary Bar and an outdoor grill serving up sausage and pepper sandwiches and burgers.

“The Bloody Mary Bar will open at 10. Normally we wouldn’t open that early, but it’s a party,” said Sandbar owner Erika Waronsky. “And we’re going to have the grill running all day so folks can grab something quick and relatively inexpensive. … It’s a great spot to watch the parade.”

Waronsky notes that Carolina Coffee & Crumbs, which she also owns, will participate in the 5K on Friday with a table at the end offering free breakfast sandwiches, coffee, and water for runners. Because the party at Coligny isn’t just about the parade, it’s a celebration that never stops.

In fact, the entire month will see stores at Coligny competing in their own version of March Madness, with defending champs Piggly Wiggly going head-to-head with newcomers like Seabags, Fire & Pine, and Cafe Al Dente to determine who is this year’s champion.

You can vote for your favorites at ColignyPlaza.com/ Events. One lucky voter will win a $250 gift card good at any of the amazing shops and restaurants in Coligny. 

John Cranford, Eric Reid, Lindsay Cranford, Nick Poulin, Kyle Wareham, Nate Douglas and Matt Robbins

ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN

LEADING WITH GRATITUDE

FIRST TEE – THE LOWCOUNTRY TO HONOR OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Those whose children have gone through First Tee – The Lowcountry programs know that there’s more to the organization than just the game of golf. Children and teens who get to learn from their volunteers and coaches improve their golf game, certainly. But that’s just part of what sets this remarkable group apart. The true gift they bestow on their students is the life lessons, mentoring them toward a brighter future even as they develop their swing.

Running as a through-line across these lessons are nine core values that define First Tee. And at their annual Community Leadership Awards Banquet, the organization uses these values to demonstrate the wonderful people who call the Lowcountry home.

“Honoring the community is important to us because the community supports us,” said Executive Director Pat Zuk. “This year is a little different. As it’s our 10-year anniversary, we’re honoring people who had a significant impact on the development of our chapter.”

Being recognized for Perseverance is local fixture Kim Likins. “Kim is one of the original people who helped start the chapter,” Zuk said. “Everything she did for us – going through government approvals, getting our 501(c)(3), dealing with the paperwork to build our Gumtree Road facility … it took a great deal of perseverance on her part.”

Earning kudos for Confidence is Paul Caruso, the first program director for the local chapter. “Paul has been a tremendous influence on the chapter, especially when it comes to developing solid programming,” Zuk said. “He’s been a true leader.”

Volunteer of the Year Herb Wehner will be recognized for Honesty during the banquet, while also earning the Mike Davis Award. “He’s been in charge of our First Tee Community Program at Red Cedar Elementary for as long as I’ve been here. He’s really taken ownership of it,” Zuk said.

Golf course designer Clyde Johnston served six years on the board at First Tee – The Lowcountry, two as chair. As a designer, he created the beautiful course at the First Tee. As a volunteer, he’ll be recognized for Responsibility. “This is a guy who really took responsibility for the chapter and did an awful lot for us,” Zuk said.

The core value of Judgment will serve as the honor for Beaufort County School District Superintendent Dr. Frank Rodriguez, who has played a vital role in placing First Tee programs in 24 schools around the district. “The District has just been a great partner in getting kids out there on the

course – they believe in us, and that’s using good judgment,” Zuk said.

While the Devlin Foundation has offered financial support to First Tee for years, it’s the extra care that founder Bruce Devlin has shown students that earned Courtesy honors. “He finished the design at Secession Golf Club. They always invite a group of four or five kids to their amateur tournament and just treat the students like kings,” Zuk said. “It’s a great experience for them.”

The awards for Integrity and Respect will be split between two of the Lowcountry’s most celebrated golf communities, Colleton River Club and Long Cove Club, respectively. “They have both supported us, and they have both been instrumental in getting this facility up and going,” Zuk said. “Every year, we have more and more volunteers from both communities. They’ve both been such strong supporters over the last 10 years.”

In addition to these honors, two more awards will be bestowed on locals during the banquet. The Legacy Award, honoring those who have made a significant impact on the chapter, will go to Ken and Joan Campbell who took responsibility for fundraising during the early stages of the facility’s creation. “They did everything, the whole nine yards,” Zuk said. “From a personal standpoint, Ken is someone I always look to for advice. He not only founded this chapter, but also The First Tee of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.”

The final awards, the Paul Caruso Award and Sportsmanship Participant of the Year, will both go to a young man Zuk describes as “12 going on 25.” Paul Morrell is “very mature, and he’s always helping coach the younger kids,” Zuk said. “He’s just one of those kids you’re glad you know.”

The Community Leadership Awards Banquet will be held April 16 at Sea Pines Country Club. For tickets and more information, visit firstteelowcountry.org/events or call (843)686-2680.

A NOTE FROM HILTON HEAD ISLAND MAYOR

ALAN PERRY

TRANSFORMING MAIN STREET: A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT FOR PROGRESS

Collaboration has been pivotal in our efforts to enhance Main Street, a north-end thoroughfare lined with restaurants, banks, medical offices, retail shops, offices, and other businesses. Significant improvements are underway to make this road safer, thanks to the Main Street Commercial Property Owners’ Association (POA) and the Town of Hilton Head Island.

Many of you have likely traveled this road, encountering its uneven surfaces and potholes. In response, Town Council authorized the acquisition of rights-ofway from Main Street property owners. It took some time to accomplish this. Subsequently, dedicated efforts from town staff and POA members facilitated the transfer of ownership, paving the way for the restoration of Main Street and its adjacent side streets.

Last fall, the town officially assumed ownership from the POA for the stretch of Main Street extending from Whooping Crane Way near the Hilton Head Plantation entrance to Wilborn Road, along with adjoining side streets – Central Avenue, Museum Street, Merchant Street, and Meeting Street. This addition supplemented the segment already under town ownership – Hospital Center Boulevard to the Whooping Crane Way circle.

With ownership secured, we wasted no time executing our plans for a comprehensive roadway maintenance project along Main Street and the four side streets. Tasks included extensive pothole repairs, addressing damaged road sections, spot repairs to curbs and gutters, and the restoration of concrete sidewalks. This summer, town contractors will clean and inspect the

extensive drainage system.

Looking ahead, collaboration with local stakeholders will drive the conceptual design for streetscape enhancements, such as pathways, sidewalks, landscaping, and lighting. Additionally, there will be improvements at the Main Street intersections with Wilborn Road and with Hospital Center Boulevard, along with enhancements to pedestrian and vehicular signage. This project, long-awaited by citizens and businesses alike, has garnered widespread support. We thank all those who have contributed to its realization.

Significant improvements are underway to make this road safer, thanks to the Main Street Commercial Property Owners’ Association (POA) and the Town of Hilton Head Island.

As we embark on this journey to transform our own Main Street – one of the thousands across the country – we urge caution when navigating the work zones. Furthermore, we encourage you to download the town’s MyHHI app, so you can promptly report any issues you encounter on Main Street or elsewhere on the island. Your participation facilitates swift attention to problems and repairs, fostering a more vital and vibrant community. 

Article by Jesse Blanco

Wingfest

Joe Cain loves to go down memory lane when festival season rolls around. At any given moment, he can rattle off a series of things that have happened over the 27 years that the Island Recreation Center has been putting on its soon-to-be-worldfamous WingFest. This year’s fest is coming up March 23 at Lowcountry Celebration Park on the island’s south end.

It’s easy to talk shop with Joe, especially about the wings and all the work that goes into putting on one of the largest events of the year on Hilton Head Island. This year, I hit him with a flurry of questions to give you an idea of where this event came from and what it takes to deliver it every year.

JB: Do you remember the first year?

JC: Yes. It was in a grassy area in front of San Miguel’s restaurant in Shelter Cove Harbour. There’s a timeshare building there now. I remember people were happy that they could walk over to San Miguel’s and buy a liquor drink, because we had only beer at the festival. We did that for five or six years before we moved it.

JB: How many participants did you have those first couple of years?

JC: I believe there were eight restaurants. Then it jumped to 12. We are up to around 15 now, so it has grown, but not that much. I mean, we have to have room for everyone the day of the festival, so we are limited for space.

JB: What else do you remember about the origins of the festival?

JC: It was part of Springfest, which included the Hilton Head Wine Festival. We were kind of at the end of that. Now the Wine Fest is the week after us.

JB: How many wings are involved in this event every year?

JC: Last year, we were up to 8,000 pounds of wings. We will probably do similar this year. We take delivery every year and we have to deliver them as quickly as possible to the participants. We divide and conquer. I take the south end of the island and Leah (Arnold) takes the north end and Bluffton. It’s a long day with two box trucks, but we get them delivered.

JB: How many vendors will there be this year at WingFest?

JC: Probably about 14. That’s besides the wings, of course. We use every bit of space we get at Lowcountry Celebration Park.

JB: How much money is raised from this event and where does it go?

JC: I don’t know exactly, but I would say in the $15,000 to $20,000 range. The money goes to the Carmines Family Recreation Scholarship Fund at Island Rec Center.

JB: How many kids would you say are participants at the Rec Center?

JC: Oh, it’s about 1,000 – when you consider the kids that play basketball, the after-school programs and summer.

JB: How many volunteers does it take to pull off WingFest?

JC: About 100 volunteers, plus the 20 or so of us that work at the Rec Center. We need people to take tickets, assist with parking, help with ticket sales, help with the judges. All of the help is welcomed because it is a lot of work to pull off the festival every year.

JB: Anything different this year?

JC: Nope. March 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. We will have live music from multiple bands and a whole lot of fun.

JB: Before we go, tell me one memorable moment from the 27 years of WingFest?

JC: That’s easy. I believe it was year 17. We usually ask the participants not to do terribly hot wings for the judges. Well, that year the firefighters decided they wanted to enter their WMD – Wings of Mass Destruction. They were so hot, it brought the judging to a halt. Palates were destroyed. Everyone was chugging beer, which, of course, doesn’t really help with heat. Milk is much better, but we didn’t have any. We asked them not to do that again. 

Albert Gisbert, City of Miami Fire Department and Jesse Blanco.

Albert Gisbert, Ray Deal, Mayor Alan Perry, Jeff Laben and Jesse Blanco.

Jesse Blanco with Island Rec Center’s Joe Cain, rocking his infamous Buffalo Wing hat.

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.

Doug McFadden has been named the new head football coach at Hilton Head Preparatory School, effective April 1. McFadden brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to Hilton Head Prep, having most recently served as the pass game coordinator and secondary coach at Colgate University since 2022.

McFadden coached at Lafayette College from 2009 to 2022, where he made significant contributions as the defensive secondary and punt team coach. In his tenure, he was elevated to special teams coordinator, achieving success with kickoff returns and punt returns. He served as Lafayette’s interim head coach in 2021.

During his tenure at Lafayette College, McFadden had the opportunity to recruit and coach former Hilton Head Prep quarterback Stone McDonald ’20, who speaks highly of McFadden’s impact on his life and career. “Coach McFadden changed my life when he recruited me from Hilton Head Prep back in 2019,” McDonald said. “I am excited for everyone at Prep who will benefit from his coaching, wisdom, and mentorship.”

“Hilton Head Prep was a great match for what I was looking for in a school,” McFadden said. “I’m excited to have an opportunity to build a program and empower student-athletes on and off the field.”

Emily Carnes has joined The Fraum Center team as a licensed aesthetician. She brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique approach to the practice and specializes in a variety of skin treatments including chemical peels, Virtue RF Microneedling, Cool Peel laser, and dermaplaning.

Carnes’ addition comes after a January 1 announcement of the shift in ownership and innovative health care strategies from new owners Heather Hinshelwood, MD and Henry Criss. As partners, they are set to integrate additional advanced medical expertise with proven restorative practices, propelling the practice toward cutting-edge, proactive health management.

For more information and to book an appointment at The Fraum Center, visit fraum.com.

Novant Health has named Jason Bernd senior vice president and president of the South Carolina region following the not-for-profit health system’s recent acquisition of Lowcountry hospitals and associated operations, including Hilton Head Hospital and Coastal Carolina Hospital. In this new role, Bernd will partner with the local hospital CEOs and clinical leadership team to recruit physicians and grow services, advance quality care and prioritize strategic needs.

Hilton Head Medical Spa held a ribbon cutting February 29 at its 2 Corpus Christy Place offices, in Suite 206. Hilton Head Medical Spa offers a range of services to help you look and feel your best. From weight loss options to body contouring, or a relaxing facial or massage, Dr. Rafael Sanchez and his team are available to help you achieve your weight loss and beauty goals.

For more information and appointments, call (843) 802-0155.

Sam Huffman has joined Bluffton Aesthetics as its new Certified Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C). With years of experience, Huffman will play a key role in our services and treatments, helping us better serve the Bluffton community with excellence and care.

Turn off the game, put down your brackets and experience a different kind of spring celebration at the inaugural “Marsh Madness,” set for Saturday, March 9, from 4-7 p.m. in the Weezie Educational Pavilion at the Maritime Center and benefiting the Port Royal Sound Foundation’s (PRSF) expanding research programs.

Featuring oysters and barbeque from Sea Eagle Market, locally brewed beer from Shellring Ale Works, and live bluegrass music with the Sea Island Ramblers, the event will serve as the kick-off to the spring rebirth of Lowcountry marsh grasses and will support important research programs that help us understand this critical ecosystem.

Proceeds from Marsh Madness will support an important part of PRSF’s mission: advancing research to ensure local marshes and the Port Royal Sound remain healthy for decades to come.

Marsh Madness tickets are $45 per person and include oysters, barbeque, and non-alcoholic beverages. A cash bar will also be available at the event.

The Weezie Educational Pavilion is located on the campus of the PRSF Maritime Center at 310 Okatie Highway in Okatie.

Tickets can be purchased online at PortRoyalSoundFoundation.org. This event is open to the public, ages 21 and older.

MARCH 2024

EVERY MONDAY IN MARCH!

4-4:50 p.m.

FREE GOLF DEMO & CLINIC Robert Trent Jones Course Palmetto Dunes PalmettoDunes.com/golf/golf-instruction

“TICK, TICK... BOOM!”

PAGE ISLAND OYSTER ROAST

Benefit for Outside Foundation 12-5 p.m. outsidefoundation. org

FORSYTHE JEWELERS

POP-UP SHOP

12-3 p.m. at Hilton

Head Wine & Food Festival; Celebration Park

HHI ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

2

March 1-3

Final weekend, Sea Glass Stage Company at Coligny Theatre sgstage.org

“CALENDAR GIRLS”

March 1-3

Final weekend, May River Theatre, Bluffton mayrivertheatre.com

CELTIC CELEBRATION

7:30 p.m. By Mary Greene Chorale at All Saints Episcopal 3001 Meeting St. HHI marygreenchorale@gmail.com

CAFÉ AL DENTE NOW OPEN! Coligny Plaza

“COUNTERPOINTS”

March 7-28. Art by Linda Warner Constantino & Martha Worthy Reception, 5 p.m. March 7. Four Corners Gallery in Bluffton

MUSIC ON MALPHRUS

March 1-3; 7 p.m.

David Jacobs-Straing, Bob Bach 110 Malphrus Road, Bluffton $25 uulowcountry.org

“MUSIC MAN”

March 21-23

Hilton Head Christian Academy at Seahawk Cultural Center 70 Wilborn Road hhca.org/musicman

FORSYTHE JEWELERS

LAGOS Trunk Show

Sea Pines Center

HHI EASTER

SUNRISE SERVICE

6:30 a.m.

Coligny Beach

St. Andrew By-The-Sea

HILTON HEAD HUMANE ADOPTION EVENT 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Jarvis Creek General Store

MEATBALL THROWDOWN Chefs go head to head for “Best Meatball” title. Fun starts at 12 p.m. Live music!

The Salty Dog

SHAMROCKIN’

HUNT

9 - 11 a.m. Hidden shamrocks all over South Beach. Use clues to find them and win fun prizes.

The Salty Dog

MUSIC & TASTE ON THE HARBOUR

6-9 p.m., thru May 16. Shelter Cove Harbour at Neptune statue Free, Bring Chair

EASTER EGG HUNT 3 p.m. Farmer’s Market of Bluffton

HILTON HEAD HUMANE ADOPTION EVENT 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Jarvis Creek General Store

PALM TREES & PISTONS

9-11 a.m.

Sea Turtle Marketplace Free Car Show

JAKE’S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN MEET AND GREET

9 - 10:30 a.m.

The Salty Dog

SALTY DOG’S ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT

10 a.m. start time with breakfast at 8 a.m. Prizes Galore

EVENTS