Celebrate Bluffton & Beyond Magazine and Celebrate Hilton Head - November 2018 Issue

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

CB2 CELEBRATE BLUFFTON & BEYOND

NOVEMBER 2018

KEEPING A HOLIDAY HEART IN THE MILITARY

UNIQUE BOUTIQUES see page 63

LIFE, LOVE AND WHERE I SHOP:

CONFESSIONS OF A BOUTIQUE FREAK

BOGO LOCAL BOOK see page 3

FLOATING HIGH OVER GOTHAM

AN IN-PERSON VIEW OF THE MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

plus

GIFT GUIDE FOR MEN see page 95

GIGI’S CELEBRATES 10 YEARS JUST PLANE AWESOME

NOVEMBER 2018

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D E S TI NATI O N :

FIND THIS OUTFIT THERE!

THE MOST EXCITING THING TO HIT AVIATION SINCE IN-FLIGHT BEVERAGE SERVICE HAS JUST LANDED

BIRDIE JAMES ON CALHOUN GRAND OPENING NOVEMBER 8

HARLESTON see page 46

CONTENTS 11.18 “

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What people often do not understand is that the idea of a ‘bulldog’ lawyer is actually counterproductive and ultimately very expensive.” - PAGE 121

EDITOR’S NOTE Happy Thanksgiving!

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BACHELORETTE OF THE YEAR PARTY PICS It was a pajama party

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A WORD FROM OUR MAYORS Lisa Sulka of Bluffton and David Bennett of Hilton Head Island update you on town happenings.

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THIS & THAT

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LINE IN THE SAND New Ambassador needed

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LIFE, LOVE, AND WHERE I SHOP Confessions of a Boutique Freak

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EXPLORE SC: CHARLESTON Model Emma stands on East Bay Street near the iconic Rainbow Row in an ensemble from Palmettoes in Sea Pines Center.

SPOTLIGHT ON UNIQUE BOUTIQUES

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FORSYTHE JEWELERS

UNIQUE BOUTIQUES see page 63

BOGO LOCAL BOOK see page 3

CONFESSIONS OF A BOUTIQUE FREAK

AN IN-PERSON VIEW OF THE MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

ORANGE IS THE NEW FIT

SET YOUR METABOLISM ON FIRE AT ORANGETHEORY® FITNESS

see page 46

NOVEMBER 2018

NOVEMBER 2018

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CONFESSIONS OF A BOUTIQUE FREAK

FLOATING HIGH OVER GOTHAM

AN IN-PERSON VIEW OF THE MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

plus

GIFT GUIDE FOR MEN see page 95

KEEPING A HOLIDAY HEART IN THE MILITARY

D ES TI N A TI O N :

KEEPING A HOLIDAY HEART IN THE MILITARY LIFE, LOVE AND WHERE I SHOP:

BOGO LOCAL BOOK see page 3

plus FLOATING HIGH OVER GOTHAM

HARLESTON

NOVEMBER 2018

UNIQUE BOUTIQUES see page 63

LIFE, LOVE AND WHERE I SHOP:

GIFT GUIDE FOR MEN see page 95

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

CB2 CELEBRATE BLUFFTON & BEYOND

CH2 CELEBRATE HILTON HEAD!

NOVEMBER 2018

GIGI’S CELEBRATES 10 YEARS JUST PLANE AWESOME

C

FIND THIS OUTFIT THERE!

THE MOST EXCITING THING TO HIT AVIATION SINCE IN-FLIGHT BEVERAGE SERVICE HAS JUST LANDED

BIRDIE JAMES ON CALHOUN

GRAND OPENING NOVEMBER 8

DE S TI N A TI ON :

HARLESTON see page 46

ON OUR COVERS

ON THE CH2 COVER

ON THE CB2 COVER

Photography by M.Kat Ensemble by DLUXE Styling by Kaila Manthei Hair and Make-up by Bride’s Side Beauty Thanks to Emma and Halo Model and Talent Agency

Photography by M.Kat Ensemble by Birdie James Styling by Kaila Manthei Hair and Make-up by Bride’s Side Beauty Thanks to Emma and Halo Model and Talent Agency

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GIGI’S CELEBRATES 10 YEARS

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ORANGE IS THE NEW FIT Set your metabolism on fire at Orangetheory® Fitness

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BELLADAE MEDICAL SPA

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LUCKY ROOSTER KITCHEN + BAR TO HOST SOUTHERN POP-UP WITH VIVIAN HOWARD

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BUILDING BEYOND Stunning oceanfront home by Brighton Builders revels in oceanfront luxury

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IRISH MEETS ITALIAN AT SHELTER COVE HARBOUR & MARINA Bucci & Murray’s Pub on the Harbor

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GIFT GUIDE FOR HIM

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FLOATING HIGH OVER GOTHAM An in-person view of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade

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KEEPING A HOLIDAY HEART IN THE MILITARY

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EXCERPTS FROM BONES OF MY GRANDFATHER Reclaiming a Hero of World War II

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HUNKERING DOWN ON HILTON HEAD Air Force retiree soars into ownership of fullservice moving business

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FOCUSING ON FAMILIES Prince Law Firm, P.C.

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POMODORI GOES OVEN MITT TO OVEN MITT ON THE FOOD NETWORK

BACHELORETTE OF THE YEAR PARTY It was a sea of pajamas, pillows, fuzzy slippers and teddy’s (ahem, bears) on October 19th for CH2’s Bachelorette of the Year Party. This year’s party raised over $20,000 for the Island Rec Center.

Check out more Bachelorette of the Year event photos on CH2’s Facebook page and by clicking the PLAY button in our online issue on Issuu.com. Pick up the December issue of CH2 Magazine to see who was voted into the Top 10!

M A Y O R

A Note from Kim Likins - Hilton Head Island Mayor Pro Tem

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IS OUR TRUMP CARD

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ustaining Hilton Head Island’s reputation for environmental stewardship as established by our island’s original designers should always be at the forefront of our town’s initiatives. It is important to remember that, due to the founding developers of our island, we have a public record of environmental stewardship coupled with historic and cultural respect.

Our island is known for having made a difference over the past 50 years in how newly developed resort areas should be sensitive to their surroundings. Therefore, we can never take for granted the wealth of intrinsic treasures like our amazing beaches, our wildlife and the soothing evening breezes that make up an essential lifestyle for us who feel blessed to call Hilton Head Island home.

As community leaders, we are entrusted to focus our awareness effectively so that we have practical, forward-thinking management policies in place to retain and enhance the qualities of life we enjoy. Two important

< Bluffton Mayor

Photography by Krisztian Lonyai

A Note from Lisa Sulka

COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING: THE FUTURE OF BLUFFTON

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overnment trivia question: What is a Comprehensive Plan?

The Comprehensive Plan is the town’s land planning document that provides recommendations for the wise and efficient use of public funds, future growth, development, redevelopment and fiscal impact of the planning elements on property owners. South Carolina law requires this as a prerequisite for communities to adopt a zoning ordinance and subdivision and land development regulations.

Photography by M.KAT

M AY O R The Planning Commission must re-evaluate the Comprehensive Plan at least every five years and update it every 10 years; their findings are provided in the Comprehensive Plan Audit. The last significant amendments to the plan were completed in 2014.

The town is undergoing a major evaluation that will be completed within the next two years. We are reviewing demographics and changes in the demographics and statistics, receiving input from town boards and commissions as well as citizen feedback through public meetings, workshops, surveys and other various public outreach methods. We will be updating our maps and establishing goals and objectives that will guide the community for the next 10 years.

What are the main focus areas or chapters included in a Comprehensive Plan?

• Population • Cultural resources • Natural resources • Housing • Economic development • Community facilities • Land use • Transportation • Priority investment What is included in each focus area?

• Inventory of existing conditions • Statement of needs and goals • Implementation strategies with time frames What is the Comprehensive Plan used for? What is the purpose?

• To review applications and proposals for re-zonings • Annexation requests • Master plan reviews • Development plan reviews • Amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance • As a planning tool for various other applications and proposals The Planning Commission will hold public hearings and make a recommendation to Town Council. Town Council will review the Planning Commission’s recommendation with two readings (first reading and second reading—public hearing), ultimately approved by ordinance.

Please watch for future workshops and meetings, and provide any comment or feedback you have. We are all in this together to ensure Bluffton remains the best place to live and raise a family, or retire. 

One area that I hope will continue to make strides is our loggerhead turtle program. Since 1985, the nesting program has grown to an average of 250 nests a year. With 13 miles of beach along both the Atlantic Ocean and Port Royal Sound shorelines, we have the potential for a much larger nesting volume. areas on our townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s environmental stewardship agenda are our lagoon systems and our beachfront.

Our critical lagoon systems Recent hurricanes and tropical storms have shown us just how important drainage issues can be on Hilton Head Island. Our lagoon systems are critical to water management, and we as a town must remain vigilant in monitoring and repairing areas that are inadequate.

In light of the new realities of tropical storms and water levels, the town must have consistent storm water agreements in place with the planned neighborhoods that clearly identify responsibilities to ensure we have high quality water management systems island-wide. When conflicts arise between neighboring communities that create or exacerbate drainage issues, the town needs to step in to identify and deal with them.

Our nationally prominent beachfront We have every reason to be proud of our beautiful beaches, particularly since they continue to receive

high praise from residents, visitors and national publications.

Wise and attentive management continues to be a key reason for the recognition, and our town staff is to be congratulated on its outstanding work. I thank our Town Council forerunners who had the vision to install a unique system of financing, which has provided for our beach renourishment program.

One area that I hope will continue to make strides is our loggerhead turtle program. Since 1985, the nesting program has grown to an average of 250 nests a year. With 13 miles of beach along both the Atlantic Ocean and Port Royal Sound shorelines, we have the potential for a much larger nesting volume.

Today, we have a dedicated group of over 300 volunteers who work diligently to protect the nests on our island. With their support, and by working closely with the Turtle Protection Project team, we have the opportunity to become a state-ofthe-art community for this endangered species.

Continued respect requires continued vigilance Whenever I visit other areas of South Carolina, I am always meeting new people who tell me they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to come back and vacation here, because it is such a beautiful and restful place. Indeed, we have succeeded in being respected as a destination, enterprise, natural environment village, and resort community of engaged residents.

So, given that, I believe we have a true responsibility to hold fast to our trump card of environmental stewardship renown, to fully appreciate with actions, not just words, and to seize opportunities to get even better in the future.

Working together as a community, it is an achievable goal. ď&#x201A;?

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This & That

C2 Magazine • November 2018 Edition A Series of Fortunate Events, interesting news and a hodge-podge of other items.

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

Birdie James on Calhoun Grand Opening November 8

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new wave of chic apparel and accessories has hit Old Town Bluffton with the arrival of Birdie James on Calhoun. The women’s boutique builds on the success of the original Birdie James store on Hilton Head, which has been the island’s wardrobe update headquarters since 2016. To introduce the new shop, Birdie James on Calhoun will host a Grand Opening Celebration on November 8, including a ribbon cutting with the Chamber of Commerce at 4:30 p.m. and party from 5 to 7 p.m. The event will feature drinks and light fare, as well as the fantastic shopping experiences that Birdie James is known for. Birdie James on Calhoun is located on the corner of Calhoun and Lawrence Streets in Bluffton’s oldest shop building, also home to The Store.

“The vibe of Birdie James on Calhoun is a lot like our original store. We have the same aesthetic and wall color that everyone loves, but scaled down into a much smaller space. It’s one fourth of our flagship location, a true small boutique space, so it lends itself to a different experience. I anticipate that we’ll evolve our collections over the next several months until we figure out ‘who we’re going to be’ in Bluffton. Our brand will always cater to the woman forty-five plus, because that’s who I really love to style, and who needs more support and conversation around style. I am hopeful, though, to be able to appeal to all ages, which means that we’ll throw some younger collections and styles into the mix,” said Michelle Taylor, the owner and creative force behind Birdie James.

Birdie James is a women’s boutique opened in 2016 with stores on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton, S.C. More than just stores, Birdie James offers an authentic shopping experiences in beautiful environments. Owner Michelle Taylor, and her team of stylists, get to know their customers and help them find and shop their individual style. The Birdie James aesthetic falls between classic and modern, with a mix of staples and high fashion that balance fitting in and authentically expressing yourself. Birdie James is a comfortable space for daughters, mothers, grandmothers and girlfriends to gather, laugh, shop and be themselves. 

Grand Opening Event Details

WHAT: An in-store get together to mark the opening of the new Birdie James store in Bluffton WHEN: Thursday, November 8, ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. and party from 5-7 p.m.

WHERE: Birdie James on Calhoun, located at 52 Calhoun Street, Bluffton WHY: To drink, eat and shop!

St. Andrew By-theSea UMC will host its fortieth annual Fall Festival on Saturday, November 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church’s Pope Avenue campus, 20 Pope Ave., Hilton Head Island.

Fall Festival is one of the largest, continuously run, church bazaars in South Carolina, with proceeds supporting mission projects. Sale items offered at attractive prices include baked goods, a garden shop with live plants, and gently-used items including books, households/electronics/small furniture, children’s items and toys, sporting goods with bikes/golf clubs, jewelry, and a Christmas shop. A silent auction offers items for bid such as gift cards, artwork, golf packages, restaurant dinners, professional services, admissions to local events, and vacation resort packages. There will be great food, live music, and coffee and donuts for early arrivals. For more information, contact the church (843) 785-4711.

On Nov. 24 at 3 p.m., Santa will arrive at the Village at Wexford, bringing excited smiles to kids of all ages, and officially kicking off the holiday season in the Lowcountry. Santa’s arrival is just part of the exciting lineup of special events happening at the Village at Wexford during November and December.

Every Saturday from Nov. 24 through Dec. 22, the Village at Wexford will offer a festive holiday atmosphere for family fun. Activities include visits and photos with Santa, cookie decorating on the porch outside of Island Child and an opportunity for kids to write and mail a letter to Santa. Santa will be at the shopping village every Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m.—in a special “house” located on the patio by Island Child.

The November 24 event will not only feature Santa’s arrival and holiday activities for the kids, but will provide family fun with The Gingerbread Trail of treats, photos, music stories and cocoa with Santa. In addition, the event will offer delicacies from The Market at the Village at Wexford, including kettle corn and other holiday treats, as well as a hot chocolate stand, along with performances by local children’s choirs at Santa’s house during his hours.

The Village at Wexford will also be hosting “A Holiday Evening in the Village” on November 15 from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring music, shopping, refreshments and prizes—with a Christmas movie and cocoa for the kids. Stores will be open late, offering special in-store sales, and welcoming shoppers with a snack or beverage as they shop.

For more information about the Village at Wexford’s holiday experience, and a complete schedule of holiday activities, store hours and entertainment, visit the VAW Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/villageatwexford.

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This & That

GENE MARTIN

C2 Magazine • November 2018 Edition

JAMES NORRIS RICHARDSON

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he Rotary Club of Hilton Head Island is pleased to announce that Gene Martin and Norris Richardson will be inducted into the Hilton Head Island Hall of Fame on November 8, 2018. The Rotary Club of Hilton Head Island will host a buffet luncheon and induction ceremony at the Sonesta Resort Hotel at 11:30 a.m., at which time the honorees and their family members will be recognized and the bronze plaque to be installed at Honey Horn Plantation will be presented. Members of the community are welcome and encouraged to attend. Contact Hank Noble at hnoble29910@gmail.com or (843) 815-6014 for reservations.

GENE MARTIN Gene Martin created the Hilton Head Island value of corporate volunteerism by literally “giving the store away.” After taking over the Red & White Supermarket in Coligny Plaza in 1969, his name quickly became synonymous with “giving” and “yes.” His unheralded donations of food to numerous community programs, schools, PTAs, holiday food baskets and distressed individuals set a tone for Hilton Head Island and set a high bar for those who followed.

JAMES NORRIS RICHARDSON (1914-2001) The hard work, vision and entrepreneurial spirit of Hilton Head Island business pioneer James Norris Richardson did more than create from nothing a town center and “downtown.”

The expansion of what was to become Coligny Plaza served as building blocks for a fledgling community, giving it a family focus and setting the table for other entrepreneurs to thrive.

The Rotary Club of Hilton Head Island, a local service organization, has over 150 women and men involved in local and international service projects, fulfilling the club’s motto of “Service Above Self.” The international motto, which is defined each year by the current president is “Be the Inspiration.” These two men certainly embody both of those mottos.

For more information, visit https://hiltonheadrotary.org. 

Orthopedic sports medicine surgeon Chad T. Zehms, M.D. has joined the team of renowned surgeons at Optim Orthopedics and will be treating patients at Optim’s new South Carolina locations in Bluffton and on Hilton Head Island. A graduate of the prestigious sports medicine fellowship program at Steadman Philippon Research Institute, he was a trauma consultant for the Green Bay Packers and provided coverage for the U.S. Olympics Women’s Ski Team. Zehms is a board certified, fellowship-trained surgeon specializing in orthopedic sports medicine surgery for musculoskeletal injuries.

Jake enjoying the sunset on the eighteenth fairway at Harbour Town Golf Links. Submitted by Debbie Bennett at the urging of Jen, the bartender at CQ’s restaurant. Come on down and enjoy the view!

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This & That

C2 Magazine • November 2018 Edition

Brenda Blisk, founder & CEO of Blisk Financial Group in McLean, Virginia, won the 2018 Invest in Others Community Service Award, one of seven awards presented on September 27 at the twelfth annual Invest in Others Awards Gala in Boston. Blisk earned the honor for her charitable work with the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region, which received a $40,000 donation from the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation.

The Community Service Award is presented annually to a financial advisor who has made an outstanding impact on a community through managerial contributions to a nonprofit organization for at least three years.

Lee Holyoak, director of tennis & pickleball at Long Cove Club, received his certification through the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) as a certified pickleball coach in adult development. The PPR was established to educate, certify and serve those professionals teaching the immensely popular sport of pickleball. PPR is the official education and certification partner of the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA).

Long Cove Club recently opened a new pickleball facility, which features four championship courts. A grand opening event was held in October.

Southern Tide Becomes Official Style Sponsor of RBC Heritage The Heritage Classic Foundation is pleased to announce that Southern Tide, the premier coastal lifestyle and apparel brand, has signed a multi-year agreement as the “Official Style” sponsor of the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. This is a notable partnership for RBC Heritage, as this is the first time the Heritage Classic Foundation has partnered with a lifestyle apparel brand.

The partnership will kick off efforts in 2018 leading up to and beyond the PGA TOUR golf tournament April 15-21, 2019. Tournament tickets are on sale at www.rbcheritage.com.

Paws on the Patio

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he Cottage Café, Bakery and Tea Room has raised $300 for the local not-for-profit 501c3 organization Paws Rehome, Search + Rescue through a special “Bring Your Dog to Brunch” event. The event, held in celebration of National Dog Day on August 26, donated 10 percent of food sales that day to Friends for Paws, which provides assistance to local shelters, rescues, and individuals within the Lowcountry community.

The Cottage, located at 38 Calhoun Street in Bluffton in a cozy restored 1868 cottage, has been an important part of the local community since 2009. For more information about The Cottage Café, Bakery and Tea Room visit www.thecottagebluffton.com. For additional information about Friends for Paws Rehome, Search and Rescue, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ groups/friendsforpaws. 

Long Cove Club is pleased to announce that the Long Cove Club Charitable Advisory Committee (LCCCAC) has awarded $171,222 in grants to 32 area nonprofit organizations.

A Grants Awards Presentation was held at Long Cove Club on Wednesday, Sept. 26 and included special guest speaker, Gregg Russell, entertainer & cofounder of Hilton Head Heroes. Since its inception in 2003, the Long Cove Club Charitable Advisory Committee has awarded over $1 million in grants to local nonprofits.

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This & That

C2 Magazine • October 2018 Edition

Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival

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ickets are now on sale for the twelfth annual Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival, February 18-24, 2019. The coastal region’s weeklong gourmand experience offers a heady mix of top chefs, sommeliers, mixologists, local seafood, artisans and musicians, who come together for an outstanding offering of palate-pleasing events. Come celebrate the South’s evolving culinary culture as the best of world-class talent comes together for food and drink!

The Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival’s schedule of events is available online with tickets to marquee events such as the Celebrity Chef Tour Dinner hosted by the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort, Lowcountry Seafood Experience on the Water, Pitmaster 101, Pig Pickin’ & Oyster Roast at Waddell Mariculture Center, Saturday Seafood Festival at Historic Honey Horn Plantation and Seafood, Champagne + Gullah Sunday Brunch. For more information, visit www. hiltonheadseafoodfestival.com. 

The Heritage Classic Foundation has elected two new members to the board of trustees, which oversees the operations and charitable giving of the PGA TOUR’s RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. Chris Corkern, president of The Corkern Group and Tricia Lynch of Tricia Lynch Services.

Corkern was born and raised in the Hilton Head area and has been active in the community serving on numerous boards and supporting a number of local charitable organizations included past president of the Bluffton Rotary Club and Bluffton Boys and Girls Club.

A native of Charlotte, N.C. and Hilton Head Island resident since 1995, Lynch is property manager-in-charge and owns/ operates Tricia Lynch Services, which provides home watch and concierge services to absentee property owners. She has been a member of the RBC Heritage Pro-Am Committee since 2006, serving as vice-chair since 2010. She is also an active Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Hilton Head Island, a sustaining member of the Junior League of Savannah, and plays an active role in the PTSO at Hilton Head Island High School.

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eam HHI Hospitality is headed back to the World Food Championships this November, the highest stakes food competition in the world. Across the globe, tens of thousands enter various qualifying contests with the hopes of a chance at culinary glory, but only a select group get a chance to compete for top honors. The World Food Championships is widely regarded as the preeminent cooking event at the end of every year. Nowhere in the culinary landscape is the spirit of integration and engagement more alive than at the World Food Championships, where the world’s most creative food champions face off for pride and culinary glory.

To that end, the HHI Hospitality Chefs have spent the last few months getting ready for the high-stakes, high-reward culinary competition and will hit the Sunshine State from November 7 through 11, 2018. Nearly 1,500 chefs will meet at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama, this November for the culinary battle of their lives—and a shot at more than $350,000 in cash and prizes, the biggest payout in Food Sport history. Among the field of competitors for the eighth Annual World Food Championships (WFC) will be Chef Brandon Burke and Chef Jorge Covarrubias of the HHI Hospitality Team, representing their respective restaurants, Charbar Co, Holy Tequila and the state of South Carolina.

“Teams from more than 40 states and 15 countries will enter one of our 10 competition categories to earn their way to a title and a huge TV opportunity with Food Network,” said Mike McCloud, CEO and official commissioner of the event.

“The competition will be more intense than ever this year, and 10 incredible chefs are going to walk away with $10,000 cash, with one team taking the top prize of $100K. Competitors will cook food on-site during the timed events that include preparation speed, specialty recipes, presentation and the ultimate taste test for E.A.T™ certified Food Sport judges. The categories include Bacon, Barbecue, Burger, Chef, Chicken, Chili, Dessert, Sandwich, Seafood and Steak. Executive Chef Jorge Covarrubias will be representing Holy Tequila in the Seafood category with his signature deconstructed paella seafood taco and Executive Chef Brandon Burke will be returning with his Asian Shroom Wagyu Burger, after finishing in the Top 20 last year. This marks the third time teams representing HHI Hospitality have competed at the World Food Championship, earning them the designation of a Pro Team, placing them among the top professional culinary teams in the world. We wish team HHI Hospitality all the best in representing Hilton Head Island on the world culinary stage this November!

Ê Two Opinions

LINE IN THE SAND Ê One Topic

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For ambassador to the united nations

Opinion 1: Barry Kaufman

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s usual, circumstances may have wildly changed by the time you read this, but as of the time I write this, we are currently without an ambassador to the United Nations. This came about as a result of Nikki Haley dropping the mic after a year spent dealing with all manner of jerkwad countries and their idiotic complaints about all of our freedom.

Mrs. Haley, on behalf of all Americans, thank you for your service. And on behalf of all South Carolinians, please come back as soon as possible.

It’s kind of a mess down here. Remember when there was a hurricane coming and you told us to evacuate but also kind of not to evacuate by pointing out that we don’t have a mandatory evacuation and an evacuation “is what it is?” The new guy tried something kind of similar and it was confusing for pretty much everyone involved. His was more “it is, no wait, it isn’t.”

Now I realize that by the time this magazine hits newsstands, President Trump will have appointed someone to fill our former governor’s shoes (pleasenotJaredpleasenotJaredpleasenotJared) but again, this is President Trump we’re talking about. There’s an equal chance that he hasn’t appointed anybody yet or he has appointed someone, and they’ve already quit.

Point being, I like my odds of getting that job.

President Trump, ignore the barbs from a couple paragraphs ago, and let’s instead focus on the future of America and our role within the U.N. After all, if Lindsey Graham can forgive you for giving out his personal cell phone number and embrace the Trump ideology with an alarming

recently got a smart television, so I am finally able to watch Netflix—only eight years behind the rest of the world, which feels like a victory. I’ve been watching The Crown, which has only made me realize how despicable my knowledge of history is. I find myself Googling specific moments in British, American and German history to fact check the series and educate myself. Shame on me for not knowing that Winston Churchill served as Prime Minister of Great Britain twice, or that after abdicating the throne, King Edward spent a lovely holiday with Hitler, or that the Queen Mother was a bit of a pill.

So, it should come as no surprise that my ignorance extends to American government as well. On the heels of Nikki Haley’s resignation from her post as the Ambassador to the United Nations, Barry and I decided to tackle what we’d do if we were appointed to that position.

Of course, this meant that I had to first figure out what being the Ambassador to the United Nations entails. (Thank you again, Google.) Ambassadors to the United Nations are meant to both represent their countries’ interests and relay information back to their home states. As U.S. ambassador, Haley represented the country on the international stage and was responsible for keeping the U.S. State Department aware of international happenings at the United Nations.

Um, what is the United Nations exactly? The United Nations came into being in 1945, following the devastation of the Second World War, with one central mission: the maintenance of international peace and security. There are 195 countries in the world today. One hundred ninety-three are members of the United Nations, the remaining two are “non-member observer states,” the Holy See and the State of Palestine.

The United Nations should not be confused with NATO, which is a formal alliance between the territories of North America and Europe. From its inception in 1949, its main purpose was to defend each other from the possibility of communist Soviet Union taking control of their nation.

Opinion 2: Courtney Hampson I feel smarter already.

Important to point out that if Donald Trump called today, I’d have plenty to say to him. However, nothing I said would include, “Yes sir, I would be honored to serve in your administration.” But I digress; this is Barry’s fantasy, not mine.

So, it’s day one and I am in my new office in New York City. Today is likely my first and last day on the job, so I need to act quickly and do what I can.

1. Call Enrique Peña Nieto, president of Mexico. Thank him for guacamole and margaritas. Plan summit soon.

2. Work on pronouncing Azerbaijan, Brunei Darussalam, Côte D’Ivoire, Kyrgyzstan, Seychelles, and Vanuatu.

Also work on being able to point out on globe of world.

3. Thank the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, for his last 24 hours of tweets, apropos to his office, about “the power of unity and harmony,” the government’s “unparalleled focus towards eliminating poverty,” “Ensuring that every Indian has a home,” and “Police Commemoration Day.” 4. Issue sanctions against Saudi Arabia. If fact, any country that is murdering and dismembering journalists for touting freedom of speech should have a stern talking to. I hope President Trump will agree with my thinking here, given his penchant for saying whatever the heck he wants with no consequences. (Yesterday he referred to Stormy Daniels as “horse face.” He also spelled Daniels wrong.)

5. Mr. President, with all due respect, can we talk about spellcheck and Twitter in general? Maybe develop some guidelines and messaging points around how we want to be perceived in the world? Perhaps stick to those messaging points?

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Barry zeal, surely you can forgive a few good-natured zingers on my part. Anyway, I feel like my experience makes me incredibly wellsuited for the role of ambassador based on the following: My Diplomatic Experience: As a father of three young children, I am exceptionally skilled at defusing tense situations between hotheaded individuals whose grasp of the English language is tenuous at best. I would point to my level-headed diplomacy during the “I was watching that, you big jerk; I’m telling mom” crisis of 2013 as proof of my bona fides. The way I see it, the Middle East is no different. Just give one group the remote and the other a tablet they can use to watch Netflix, and we’ll have a McDonald’s on every corner in Syria by the end of the year.

My Governmental Experience: This is easy. I have no governmental experience. But I seem to recall someone else who didn’t have any governmental experience, and he seems to be doing okay, right big guy? I mean, what am I saying? Clearly, I meant the best any president has ever done or ever will do, much better than those losers on Mount Rushmore and definitely better than Obama. I mean to say, Obama who? Was there a president named Obama? Never heard of him. Sucking up to get the job?

You wound me.

My International Experience: As a seasoned traveler, I’ve been to several of the places whose representatives I’d be working alongside and can share my experiences with their culture. I’d love to sit down with the representative from Mexico and express my admiration for their people’s Hard Rock Hotel in Riviera Maya and the truly memorable display I put on at its buffet. And I could get the Scottish on my side in a heartbeat, thanks to my time spent attempting to understand their people’s impenetrable accents through a dangerous number of pints. Come to think of it, that’s pretty much most of the places I’ve been. Let’s move on, shall we?

In Summation: Look, I know on paper my résumé isn’t much.

But I’ve got one thing that no one else with whom you’ll most likely speak has: other, far more pressing, priorities. If you appoint me U.N. Ambassador, I will be the most checked-out person in that … big room where they do all their meetings, whatever it’s called. I’ll be there pretty much to roll my eyes at other countries and do that subtle one-handed “yak, yak, yak” gesture whenever some windbag from Kyrgyzstan or wherever just won’t shut up. It may not be the best or most sane strategy, but look at it this way.

You went with the best and most sane option last time, and she quit. Name me our ambassador to the U.N., and I promise I’ll stick around for at least another year and a half. Or until another crisis bubbles up among my constituents about who gets the remote. 

Courtney 6. France, I’ve been trying to upgrade my high school level French for an upcoming trip; I beg your patience. Unless I am ordering pronouns in restaurants, we’re going to have some issues.

7. Find secret tapes of Russian collusion.

8. Act surprised when call from White House comes in notifying me of my removal from office.

9. Hold press conference.

10. Later, agree to interview with White House Independent Counsel.  44

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C Hospitable people, stunning architecture and a rich cultural history all contribute to Charleston’s place in South Carolina as a major tourist destination.

Lucky for us, it’s right up the road a spell. Just a quick two-hour drive up the coast and you are in a gourmand’s mecca, easily navigable by foot, pedicab or horse-drawn carriage. Welcome to Charleston, the Holy City.

EXPLORE: South Carolina

Styling by Kaila Manthei Photography by M.Kat Hair & Makeup by Bride’s Side Beauty Clothing modeled by Emma of Halo Model & Talent Agency

FUN FACT: The earliest settlers came here from England but were later followed by immigrants from Scotland, France, Germany, Ireland, and other countries. These immigrants brought with them numerous Protestant denominations as well as Judaism and Roman Catholicism. For this reason, Charleston earned the nickname of “Holy City,” as it was known for its tolerance for all religions and it numerous historic churches.

noah Dog Top Sweater: $99.95, Dog Pant: $94.50, Bueno Red Suede Bootie $150, Beauty in Stone Short Necklace $89, Beauty in Stone Long Wrap Necklace $129, Bracelets: $49, Handbag: $69.95 (Available at Pink Pineapple)

Emma takes a stroll through Waterfront Park, which spans eight acres along the Cooper River in downtown Charleston.

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The Ballet Body Suit $78, Frame Leather Fringe Jacket: Frame $650, Frame Distressed Denim $240, Gi’N’Gi Hat $135.00, Diane Cotton necklace $300 (Available at DLuxe)

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Looking for something spooky yet informative to do on your next trip? The Haunted Jail Tour takes you through the cells, hallways, and into the places where Charleston’s worst criminals lived and died. Brace yourself as you hear stories like the legend of Lavinia and John Fisher, hotel owners from the 1800s, who supposedly poisoned their guests. www. bulldogtours.com

Three Eighty Two Dress $154, Satchel Handbag $198, Diff Sunglasses $85, Kendra Scott Earrings $80 (Available at Traveling Chic Boutique)

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For a quick bite in between sightseeing, grab a sandwich at the Queen Street Grocery, right around the corner from the Old City Jail. We recommend the Happy Houdini, a delicious sandwich with ham, red onion, avocado and goat cheese on ciabatta. YUM. Save room for the Nutella crepes—you’ll walk off those calories later.

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FUN FACT: Charleston Fire Department Station 6 is located on Cannon Street, literally steps away from the hustle and bustle of upper King Street. Station 6 opened in 1888 and, as of August, celebrated 130 years of service to the city.

Everly Jumpsuit $49, Caroline Hill Purse $59, Orange Tassel Necklace $24, Mixed Bracelets $29 each (Available at Too Belles Boutique)

THE HISTORY OF RAINBOW ROW: Tribal Poncho Sweater $125, 525 America Sweater $95, Tribal Suede Legging $85, Donald Pliner Heel $235 (Available at Palmettoes)

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The 13 historic houses that line East Bay Street (one street over from Waterfront Park) make up the famed Rainbow Row of Charleston. This area dates back to about 1740. Merchants would run the stores on the ground floor and live above them. After the Civil War, this area of Charleston devolved into near slum conditions. In 1931, Dorothy Porcher Legge and her husband Judge Lionel Legge purchased a section of these homes on East Bay Street. Dorothy was the one who decided to paint the homes on this row a pretty shade of pastel pink, hoping to make the area look nicer. As time went on, other residents on the street began to paint their homes various pastel colors as well.

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KING STREET: Nothing defines Southern charm quite like King Street. It is a bustling thoroughfare where Charlestonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past and present meet. At more than 300 years old, King Street is the second most historically and architecturally significant street in downtown Charleston, after Meeting Street. It was named for King Charles II of England and was a main route in the early city of Charles Towne. Today, it is the place to shop, dine and spend an evening out on the town. The Belmond Charleston Place is in the center of it all, and a wonderful hotel for a weekend stay with two restaurants, a spa and more shopping than you have time for.

Barbour Vest $149, Jack by BB Dakota Shirt $60, Kut Jeans $84, Top Moda Boots $44, Barbour Scarf $59, Hoops Earrings $98 (Available at Gigiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s)

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c Cupcakes and Cashmere Dress $120, Jack by BB Dakota Jacket $85, Able Bootie $158, Melie Bianco Purse $48, Necklace: $88 (Available at Coastal Bliss)

Try an Airb&b rental to get you close to downtown with all the amenities of home. The CH2 crew stayed in a lovely three-bedroom home at 180 Saint Philip Street, which was within walking distance to almost

RAIN DAY? Don’t let the weather get you down. Head to the South Carolina Aquarium and get an intimate look at many of the state’s native animals and plants. Watch the otters frolic, talk to an eagle or just sit back and observe the colorful fish swimming by in the floor-to-ceiling tank. Don’t miss the Albino Alligator presentation and the sea turtle recovery section.

everything. This relaxing courtyard was a delightful bonus. Thanks William and Jamie!

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Autumn Cashmere Sweater $318, Yoga Jeans $218, Valdini Boot $228, Gigi New York Clutch $175, Julie Vos Cuff $285, Selena King Earrings $300 (Available at Birdie James)

GALLERY HOP There are many cool art galleries and exhibitions in the Holy City (and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll cover more next month in Part 2). The REDUX CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER (pictured here) is a nonprofit organization committed to fostering creativity and the cultivation of contemporary art through diverse exhibitions and meaningful education programs. Check out the website for upcoming installations. https:// reduxstudios.org Piscimaiorem est,

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Life, Love, and Where I Shop: Confessions of a Boutique Freak

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often joke that I popped out of the womb playing dress-up. It’s in my genes; I was born to shop. But I really didn’t learn how to shop until my early 20s when I discovered boutiques. Prior to this, I scoured large department stores, discount stores, and whatever chain stores happened to pop up at the closest mall—and many times came away empty handed, which for those who know me would come as a complete surprise.

The truth is, I find department stores and malls overwhelming.

They have plenty of merchandise that interests me, but it’s not always easy to find. The same applies to discount stores and outlet malls.

While I envy people who can dig through racks and racks of sale items and come up with a steal or a deal, I simply don’t have the patience for the hunt.

Generally speaking, in a boutique, merchandise is organized in such a way that I can see it at a glance. I will gravitate towards

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racks and displays that speak to me without wasting time sorting through 100 items that don’t.

The same applies to Internet shopping.

I admit that I shop online (hello, Amazon), and sometimes those pop-up ads in my Facebook feed lure me in. What I have learned the hard way is that clothing rarely looks like it looked on the model, primarily because I am not shaped exactly like the model and also because I am well past the age of 23, which I believe is the international age limit for models, but also because anything can be made to look good in a picture. After receiving disappointing or ill-

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Confessions of a Boutique Freak fitting merchandise, all that time I supposedly saved by shopping online is consumed by the task of boxing it back up for return, making a trip to the appropriate shipping outlet, and waiting an eternity to see the money back in my bank account. Who needs that stress?

ALL THE STORES I’VE LOVED BEFORE In the early 1980s, when I moved to Hilton Head Island, shopping was pretty sparse here, especially in the realm of ladies’ clothing. The closest mall was Oglethorpe Mall in Savannah (which didn’t seem so close and wasn’t all that great), and Internet shopping had not yet been invented. I sometimes traveled to Atlanta to get a “fix.”

But then a few boutiques popped up here on the island. The first one I discovered was Faces (now known as FACES DaySpa)—and what a find!

Owner Patricia Owen started out at Heritage Plaza with a small store where she specialized in Estee Lauder cosmetics and carried a limited assortment of rather unique clothes. She had a wonderful eye for fashion and encouraged me to try on items that were slightly out of my comfort zone (I specifically remember a pair of silky pants and a sequined top that I never would have picked off the rack without a nudge. That outfit became a date night and holiday favorite.) She also took time to get to know me, understood my style, and helped me find clothes and accessories that were perfectly “me.”

I don’t think I ever walked out of her store without a package. I followed her to the Village at Wexford when her business expanded. It was still primarily clothing with a small spa element. I bought the majority of my wardrobe there until the store ultimately evolved as a full day spa with emphasis on skincare and no more clothes.

Another favorite of old was a tiny boutique called Nancy’s, owned by the late Nancy Whitworth. She carried exquisite clothing as well as a high-end cosmetic line. I became friendly with her main sales associate, Ruth Giles, who could look me in the eye and, without fail, convince me that I “deserved

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to buy myself a present.” I purchased some unique dresses and accessories there and learned quite a bit about fine fabrics, quality construction, and “investment” pieces.

Enter The Porcupine. When I first met Avis Rollison, her store was located in the Gallery of Shops, next door to the original Reilley’s. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. The merchandise rivaled what you would expect to find in a big city department store, but in a boutique environment where customer service ruled. Rollison later expanded and moved to the Village at Wexford, and I remained a faithful Porcupine customer until she closed the doors last year.

Other local boutiques I enjoyed included The Back Door and S.M. Bradford Company, both of which carried lovely merchandise and still do today, although they have expanded and relocated from the original little nooks where they got started.

One of my all-time favorite boutiques that still exists is Taffeta at Shelter Cove Harbour. Originally opened by the late Gianna Landwehr in 1984 and now operated by her daughter, Sonia Hunt, this is where I was introduced to European fashion.

The clothing was and is unique and timeless. I still have dresses I bought there 10 years ago (including a classic floor-length, red, one-shoulder gown) that are not out of style and still look fabulous, thanks to the quality of the materials and workmanship. The same applies to the accessories, curated mostly from Italy and France. It’s not the same-old, same-old, that’s for sure. I probably get the most compliments on items I purchase there, because no one else has seen them. They buy almost exclusively in Europe and stay several steps ahead of American fashion, often bringing in only one item of a kind, or at the most, one in each size, making every outfit a prize.

Other stores have come and gone, and it’s possible a few of my memories have faded. But now we have an abundance of fabulous new boutiques to choose from on both Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton. Each has its own personality, and price points may vary, but you will find a thread of similarity in the shopping experience: It’s intimate.

It’s personal. And it’s practical.

FOUR REASONS I LOVE BOUTIQUE SHOPPING: 1. Diversity and individuality.

Boutiques usually have a limited selection, in a good way. I can buy

something at a boutique and know that only a set number of people will own it. In other words, I can be fairly certain I won’t see myself across the room at a party. Fashion is one way I can express myself, stand out, and be different; boutiques allow me to do that by taking the time to select items I may not find elsewhere.

2. Personalized service. The customer service at boutiques is incomparable. They know me by name, and they know my style. They will put things aside for me, search the market for a special item I need or want, and call me when something comes in that “has my name all over it.” I don’t have to contend with an overly-eager sales associate breathing down my neck. I can browse leisurely, get help when I need it, or take an item out on approval to try at home. And sometimes they even offer me a special “friends and family” discount or send a holiday gift to reward my loyalty.

3. Instant gratification. When I find something I love at a local boutique, I can wear it immediately—no worries about shipping or returns. I’ve tried it on and know it fits.

And yes, I do deserve to buy myself a present!

4. Support for the local economy. Boutiques are usually locally-owned, and I am a huge advocate of supporting such businesses. Many boutiques also carry items made by local designers and artists, thus supporting their dreams and further stimulating the economy. In return, these businesses and their proprietors often put a large share of their revenue back into the local economy, meaning they are helping our area prosper. I just love doing my part to make the Lowcountry great, don’t you? 

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THe Spirited Hand Modern Barn

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THe Pink Pineapple Coastal Bliss Men

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So Sandra Needlepoint Junction

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Tail Wiggles Abode Home Furnishings

The Spirited Hand

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elcome to The Spirited Hand! After almost 30 years in Connecticut, we reopened in Bluffton in the PGA/ Hobby Lobby Plaza in April 2018. We are predominantly a made-in-America gift gallery, featuring handcrafted jewelry, glass, pottery, and textiles, as well as candles, wooden products, specialty foods, home accessories, and an extensive card collection. My goal has been to create a shop that people turn to when they are looking for something special, for themselves or others, and a place that both welcomes and delights!

We offer free gift wrapping and are happy to ship. Stop in and say hello to Nancy, Cali & our crew. We aim to please!

Open 7 days a week 127 Fording Island Road, Suite 103 Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 757-7300 www.thespiritedhand.com

modern barn

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ustic warmth mixed with modern minimalism. Clean lines paired with upcycled inspirations.

Southern charm alongside industrial elements. This is Modern Barn.

Modern Barn will bring your home to life, with affordable furnishings, handmade accents, unique gifts, and accessories that feel carefully curated and yet altogether warm and inviting.

Modern Barn features an exclusive mix of home decor that embodies modern farmhouse living, while appealing to a host of different tastes and style sensibilities. Our products are fresh and sleek ... mixed with our love for everything farmhouse.

Come visit us and see what surprises we have in store for your home!

37 New Orleans Road, Suite B Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 802-2837 modernbarnhhi.com

the pink pineapple

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ooking for a boutique with a bit of an edge? The Pink Pineapple is a stylish women’s clothing and accessories boutique located in the South Island Square shopping center on Hilton Head Island.

Susan Davis and her family moved to Hilton Head Island in 2010 to open The Pink Pineapple. The boutique is colorful and welcoming, has a talented staff with smiling faces and offers you great clothing and accessories from your favorite designers.

The Pink Pineapple offers an eclectic mix of apparel and accessories with a limited quantity of each design to ensure that one-ofa-kind shopping experience that perpetuates a fresh and ever-changing selection.

841 William Hilton Pkwy., Suite P Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 715-0634 pinkpineapplehhi-com.myshopify.com

coastal bliss men

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omen aren’t the only ones who meticulously plan outfits; let’s not forget the men. When it comes to capturing comfort and style, Coastal Bliss Men makes looking good easy. Next time you find yourself in Shelter Cove Towne Centre, pop in to CB Men—the brother store to Hilton Head Island’s favorite women’s clothing boutique, Coastal Bliss.

Locals Christina Dzendzel and Blake Schmid brought this man cavelike shopping experience to life after realizing the local need for men’s fashion.

It’s a contemporary men’s boutique or “mantique,” carrying the latest clothing, shoes and accessories. CB Men offers classic staples mixed with handpicked collections that will keep you on trend.

We speak your style!

38 Shelter Cove Ln #124, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 671-4050 coastalblisshiltonhead.com

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hen you are treasure hunting for just the right wardrobe addition, SoSandra is happy to help. Owner Sandra Ossie draws on more than 30 years of ladies retail experience. The atmosphere is comfortable, relaxing and friendly, where you can shop to your heartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s content. Customer service is the top priority. You will feel like you are shopping with friends. Sandra and her associates love to pamper and have fun with their clients.

If your figure does not always cooperate with your fashions, come to see us! We love working with women of all body types, finding the perfect way to dress so that you feel good about yourself. You do not have to be tall and thin to shop with us. Everyone who comes in receives personalized service in an environment that is comfortable and private.

We have clothing for all occasions: resort wear, cruise wear, casual clothing, after five, beach weddings, mother of the bride or groom. Sizing from XS to 1X. 33 Office Park Rd. #222 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 686-4900 www.sosandra.net

Needlepoint junction

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f you open the door into our store, you will know what we do. Our love for the needle arts shines through as you walk around and discover something that might be new or incredibly familiar.

We offer all the tools you may need to createâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;whether knitting, needlepoint, cross stitch, crochet, rug hooking, and more. Each of our team members offers different talents and creativity. Our core values and our passion are what bind us together to offer an atmosphere that is welcoming and inspiring to all.

J7E Village at Wexford 1000 William Hilton Pkwy.

Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 842-8488 www.needlepointjunctionhhi.com

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ail Wiggles pet supply boutique in the Village at Wexford is locally owned and operated by The Cully Family. Our adorable dog, Cadee Grace, adopted from The Hilton Head Humane Association, is the official greeter and loves to help you choose snacks and toys!

We offer tasty healthy treats, a unique variety of toys, beds, collars, leashes, and more for both cats and dogs. We also have several collars and treats made locally including our “Big Sweetie” sweet potato chips. Be sure to check out our “barkery” selection of baked cookies in a wide variety of flavors, shapes, and sizes. Our treats are sure to please even the pickiest pup.

We stock premium brands of pet food and also have a special order program available for the hard-to-find brands.

Friendly dogs and brave cats are always welcome to shop, to enjoy a complimentary treat, and visit with Cadee Grace and Janet.

The Village at Wexford 1000 William Hilton Parkway #E1 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 686-3707 TailWiggles.com

ABODE FINE HOME FURNISHINGS

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pened in June 2016, abode Fine Home Furnishings is proud to showcase our select lines of upholstery, furniture, fabrics, decorative accessories and unique gifts. Founded by interior designer, Anne Pappas and our design team, abode brings unique and specialized products and art to the Lowcountry. Taking care to resource local artisans, we showcase handmade jewelry, custom pillows, furniture and local fine artists with whom we work closely. Hand selecting each item, we take pride in offering products designed and manufactured in the U.S. as well as collecting unique textiles and jewelry purchased through fair trade abroad. Our long time design team serves as retail staff and is well-equipped to assist customers with design decisions and gift purchases.

The Promenade, Old Town Bluffton 6 State of Mind Street Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 815-3322 shop@abodeSC.com http://www.abodesc.com Open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

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hen it comes to designer jewelry, it is not just about the bling for Andrea Bragg, owner of Forsythe Jewelers in The Shops at Sea Pines Center. For Bragg, jewelry tells a story.

“Jewelry is not just an investment,” Bragg said. “It is an emotional investment. Every woman who has ever been given jewelry as a gift can tell you about the circumstances around the piece, and any woman who has purchased her own special piece remembers the milestone she was celebrating when she bought it. Jewelry is also passed down from generation to generation and even when we do custom pieces using family heirlooms, say a ring your grandmother wore, you will remember her and even feel her energy when you wear it.”

Similarly, Bragg’s clients, whom she calls “Forsythe family members,” tell a story. “I have seen little girls come in as toddlers, and we’ve given them stretchy bead

Customers at Forsythe Jewelers are encouraged to take their time and enjoy the experience of finding the perfect piece.

The team at Forsythe Jewelers gets to know their clients’ preferences and helps make gift-giving easy and fun.

bracelets, and now they are looking for a David Yurman ring for their high school graduation.”

Like diamonds, Bragg and her staff shine at establishing a friendship with each person who walks through their doors. “I love coming here every day, meeting new people and seeing old friends, as does my staff,” she said.

“We have four very different salespeople,” Bragg said. “Rebecca is an expert at layering. She could easily layer multiple pieces just by mixing and matching designers like Lagos, Yurman and Hardy.

Laurie has 20-plus years in the business and is very knowledgeable about gemstones and diamonds. She enjoys the technical side of the business and is a good custom designer. And Barb doesn’t underestimate the power of a handwritten note. She is really good about staying in touch with her clients.”

Everyone at Forsythe believes in accessibility—and in more than one interpretation of the word. First and foremost, they want their customers to not feel intimidated when they walk through Forsythe’s doors. “We do not want to just invite you into our business, we want to invite you into our home. It’s relaxed and comfortable. Maybe you are coming from the beach or Pilates class but once you walk in, someone will instantly greet you and offer you something to drink and clean your jewelry,” Bragg said.

The second form of accessibility comes from making jewelry buying enjoyable as well as informative. From educating you on current trends, to gemology, to stylishly combining your old jewelry with new jewelry, the team at Forsythe truly likes to fit you with just the perfect piece. “We want you to be 100-percent satisfied with what you buy,” Bragg said.

The third form of accessibility comes from making it easy for the customer. Forsythe keeps a comprehensive database on all “Forsythe family members.” They have a full understanding of your preferences, existing collection, and even aspects of your life, such as an upcoming anniversary, that would be enhanced by an earring, ring, bracelet, or necklace. As Bragg travels the world meeting the designers personally and buying for the business, she doesn’t just shop for the store; she shops for specific clients. “When I’m buying, I always have a certain person in mind,” she said. “When it comes to new consignment and estate pieces, Tammy will think of a client and call them immediately. Most of the time, the pieces do not even make it into the case, because Tammy quickly finds it a new home.” This personal approach to shopping is very different from the one-click, online buying experience that has become so routine for many of us—and is admittedly a welcomed departure.

Forsythe Jewelers has been a family owned business since 1927 and was founded by a watchmaker named Clifton S. Forsythe in Rochester, New York. His daughter Barbara kept his books and helped him expand his jewelry selections. Over the years, father and daughter changed the focus of the business to jewelry sales, while maintaining a reputation for excellent jewelry and watch repair services. In 1981, the company expanded to Hilton Head and, in 2001, Bragg began working part-time at Forsythe. “It turned into a full70

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time position. I started off in sales but then moved to the back as the inventory manager before returning out on the floor in sales as the sales manager,” she said. Bragg’s longevity and love for the business made her an honorary extension of the Forsythe name and, with pride, she bought the Hilton Head location in 2015. “I love chatting with my customer and saying, ‘Let’s try on some jewelry.’”

FORSYTHE’S DESIGNERS AND COLLECTIONS David Yurman: This easily recognizable designer has an iconic look with pieces that tend to feature his signature sculpted cable.

Gabriel & Co: This fairly new designer for Forsythe creates jewelry more on the petite side so you can stack rings and bracelets.

Gurhan: Handmade in Turkey, Gurhan’s signature is a hammering detail. Pieces tend to be unique and artistic, such as two toned, oneof-a kind rings.

John Hardy: Based in Bali, Hardy’s pieces are organic in style, contemporary and bold.

Lagos: Designer Steven Lagos made a big surge on the scene a couple years ago and is known for his signature caviar beading.

Marco Bicego: Bicego will tell you their pieces reflect “everyday luxury.” This Italian designer’s signature is hand carved with a bulino tool, and his more popular line features flower petals.

Roberto Coin: This high-end Italian designer produces pieces that can go anywhere—from a classical diamond by the inch to a tiger ring with several beautiful stones—creating a breadth of design work that is as extensive as it is beautiful. Coin’s jewelry is known for being intricately designed with the woman in mind.

Beach charms: For those who want a memento of Hilton Head Island, these charms are the perfect addition to a charm bracelet or can be worn on a necklace chain.

Mackenzie-Childs: Vibrant and whimsical, Mackenzie-Childs’ line of hand-painted ceramics, dinnerware and home decor is fun to collect and give as gifts.  Forsythe Jewelers is located at in the Shops at Sea Pines Center on 71 Lighthouse Road, Suite 311. Gate passes are always cheerfully refunded. For more information, visit www.forsythehhi.com or call (843) 671-7070.

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ARTICLE BY LINDA S. HOPKINS PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN ROLLINS

gigi’s C E L E B R A T E S

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trolling into Gigi’s boutique on Calhoun Street in Bluffton, I could have sworn I heard someone calling my name. Turns out, it was a darling camel colored sweater with a faux fur collar coming on to me like a suitor at a speed dating event. (I tossed it behind the counter for later.)

As the store began filling with shoppers, conversation and laughter added a harmonious hum, while the merchandise continued to speak for itself. Soon it was a pair of statementmaking red flower earrings and a cozy black hooded sweater making my heart go pitterpatter. But what truly put the experience over the top was the bottom line. I walked out with several beautiful, functional additions to my fall wardrobe without blowing my budget and, as a bonus, left with a new retail family.

Welcome to the sisterhood Perhaps the headline should read, “Hometown Girls Make Good.” Owned by the Vaux sisters, Anna Pepper Hewett and Emily Burden, who grew up in Bluffton, Gigi’s is no stranger in town. Celebrating

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10 years in business this month, it is truly the go-to fashion source for ladies of all ages.

The store was named for the sisters’ paternal grandmother, the late Ruth Vaux (known to them as Gigi), one of Sea Pines Real Estate’s first agents and a well-known fashionista in her day.

“Our parents had a big cedar closet where they kept some of her clothes, and we dressed up in her vintage things,” Burden said.

But opening a retail clothing store is much more like a chess tournament or hunting expedition than a game of dress-up. The partnership began when Hewett, fresh out of college, brought her dreams and aspirations back home to Bluffton. Collaborating with her sister, the idea was to fill a community need for more boutique-style shopping. When the store opened, Burden was still living in Colorado, married, expecting her first child, and working remotely.

“It was an experience, but we talked, I don’t know how many times a day, often in the middle of the night,” Hewett said.

Joanie Heyward, known for her preservation efforts and her passion for Bluffton’s history, is a friend of the family and has been shopping at Gigi’s since day one. “It was an exciting time for Bluffton, and it was all due to the entrepreneurial spirit of Anna and Emily,” she said.

Reflecting on their 10-year anniversary, Hewett said, “I think it’s even more meaningful because of where we started.” Gigi’s opened just on time for the recession of 2008, she explained.

“We had already planned, already bought and signed our lease,” Burden said. “It was hard, but we were determined to figure out a way to make it happen—and we did!”

And a lot has happened since: Burden moved back to Bluffton; Hewett got married; and each sister gave birth to four children, making for a challenging set of responsibilities alongside their thriving boutique. According to Hewitt, it’s by the grace of God that they can

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Juggling it All

Anna Pepper Hewett and Emily Burden juggle a booming business and a busy family life.

They take time out for a quick snap with their whole brood at Gigiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Boutique in Old Town Bluffton

Photography by M.Kat

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Ginger Mallett, a longtime Gigi’s client, shares two of her favorite looks for Fall.

make it all work, and both sisters agree that family comes first. So how do they do it?

“It goes back to our community,” Hewett said, recalling the early days and the many dedicated ladies who helped them get their feet on the ground, including their other sister, Mary Gwinn Bell, who played an important role in the beginning. Today, they pay homage to seven sales associates, all of whom have worked at Gigi’s two-eight years, and, of course, their loyal customers.

“You can tell everyone is happy there,” said Ginger Mallett, a Bluffton resident who has been shopping at Gigi’s since the beginning. “The sisters get along, and they have awesome employees. Everybody is long-term, sort of like a family, and they look out for each other and their customers.”

Rolling with the changes Times have changed since Gigi’s opened, and the ability to roll with those changes is key to the store’s success. “In the past 10 years, if you think about ladies’ shopping and how the Internet has evolved, you have to be open to changing with that, because how people buy now is different. So, you have to make yourself special and different in order to survive—being adaptable to where the industry goes,” Burden said.

The sisters are also rolling with the community growth and evolving with the needs of their customers. “You have to really listen to your customers and keep an open mind,” Hewett said. “We have a nice niche here in Bluffton. It’s our hometown.

We opened because we loved the town and wanted to offer something that we didn’t have here then.”

“The Promenade was still being built when we opened, and a lot of the stores and restaurants have popped up since. Yet Bluffton— at least Old Town—still maintains that community feel that was here when we grew up. We appreciate that,” Burden added.

Shooting the gap While it may be hard to believe that a teenager and her mother could shop in the same small boutique, that’s what Hewett and Burden set out to accomplish. They have learned that serving a multi-generational clientele is all about finding the right mix of merchandise at a price to suit every pocketbook, all while keeping step with the fashion world as it relates to customers’ needs.

Tiffany Mikkelson, a local attorney and mother of five, said she finds clothing to suit every aspect of her lifestyle. With her busy schedule, she appreciates the convenient location and friendly customer service, as well. She often has children in tow, and the sales associates are always happy to keep them occupied while she shops. “They know me, and they are able to help me pick up what I need,” she said.

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Tiffany Mikkelson finds everything she needs for the office and a casual Sunday at Gigi’s Boutique.

Joanie Heyward models Gigi’s apparel at her home in Bluffton.

“I’m 77 and I shop there,” Heyward said, praising the sisters and their staff for knowing her style and guiding her to merchandise that suits her. “There is always something for me.”

In addition to the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, Mallett is appreciative of the price range, because she said she gets “bored” with the same clothes and likes to switch up her wardrobe. “It’s affordable,” she said.

The sisters are conscious of their customers’ budgets, catering to those who may be looking for higher-end merchandise but balancing it out by searching for items with similar looks for less.

“I think people like paying less for things to wear for a season instead of investing in something they expect to wear for years to come,” Burden said. For example, they may pay more for the denim but then pick up trendy tops for under $50.”

“We are real people. We are caring through our buying, and our employees are caring. I think that sets us apart,” Hewett added. “We truly think about our customers and look out for them, because our customers are our friends.”

If you are looking for a thoughtfully curated collection of women’s clothing, shoes, accessories, and gifts—and a fun place to shop—stroll in to Gigi’s today and see what calls your name.

You’re sure to leave with something pretty to wear and perhaps a few new friends.  Gigi’s is located at 40 Calhoun St., in Bluffton. Store hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Saturday. For more information, visit www. gigisbluffton.com or call (843) 815-4450.

Treadmill Block

Rowing Block

The treadmills are where most of the cardiovascular interval training will happen during your class at Orangetheory Fitness. The challenging and constant varying intervals will get your heart pumping, increasing your endurance, power, and lower body strength when working on inclines. Anyone that comes to a class no matter if it is their first workout or their thousandth, can rest assured that they will leave feeling successful and accomplished, as the intervals are designed for everyone no matter if you prefer to power walk or run your heart out! The treadmills are also unlike any other treadmill you have probably used before. They have what is called the Flex deck, which is a shock absorption system that reduces the impact on the joints and helps with a quicker recovery.

The water rowers at OTF are where you will torch those calories and maximize your power and overall strength. The rower utilizes over 80 percent of the muscles in the body, and is one of the top three low impact exercises in the world of fitness that is also a major calorie burner. These water rowers will provide smooth movement

RANGE O is the new Fit

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during your workout, which mimics true rowing. This is a full body exercise that can help to strengthen the heart and lungs and increase cardiovascular stamina. If you have never rowed before, no fear. The coaches at Orangetheory Fitness Hilton Head are always eager and happy to help assist you during class, and there are even special workshops held periodically to help improve your rowing form and technique.

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hether you are a serious gym rat, a self-proclaimed couch potato, or somewhere in between, in today’s information age, it’s hard to ignore what’s going on in the fitness world. If you are the teensiest bit curious about the newest addition to the boutique fitness craze, or if you just want to torch some calories so you can look and feel your best, pop into Orangetheory Fitness in the Sea Turtle Marketplace on Hilton Head Island and experience the workout that is taking the world by storm. With over 1,000 franchise studios (and counting), the Lowcountry is right on-trend with the scientifically proven, heart rate-based approach to exercise.

“Because of the science behind it, this workout is for everybody,” said local

Weight Room Block In the weight room, you will find an array of different exercise equipment including dumbbells, TRX suspension straps, BOSU trainers, adjustable workout benches, resistance bands, ab dollies, and medicine balls. The TRX straps are a great tool to increase strength and stability while sculpting the body. With these straps, you are working against your own bodyweight and, just as everything else in class, they are adjustable. The ab dollies and BOSU trainers are excellent tools to challenge and strengthen the core, while the BOSU will also improve balance and agility. The medicine balls are another great tool for achieving a full-body workout, creating explosive power, and the resistance bands help add variety to your workout and exercises while strengthening muscles that are not regularly used day to day.

franchise owner and longtime fitness enthusiast, Kelly Ogden. “People of all ages and fitness levels can do it and be successful.”

THE ORANGE EFFECT At Orangetheory Fitness, orange is not just a hip color on the walls; it is representative of the exercise theory that makes this workout so effective across the board. While heart rate monitoring isn’t new, what makes it exciting is the fresh way the exercises are presented and organized—a unique trifecta of science, coaching, and technology, designed to maximize your benefits. The 60-minute workout that many local participants are calling their “happy hour,” is fast-paced but completely individualized, like a cross between group fitness and personal training.

Here’s how it works: As you move to the instructor’s commands, you track your workout via a wearable heart monitoring device and adjust your intensity to stay in your target heart rate zone, which you will see displayed on a giant screen throughout class. The goal is to experience the “Orange Effect,” which occurs when you spend a minimum of 12 to 20 minutes, combined, in the orange and red zones. According to Ogden, this guarantees an “afterburn” up to 36 hours after class, meaning that calories continue to sizzle long after you leave the studio—a scientific concept called excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC).

One of the most striking differences in the workout is the class format. According to Coach “L.A.” (Ashley) Hall, unlike the myriad group fitness classes she has taught over the past five years, at OTF, she enjoys the opportunity to circulate among the participants,

OTF rock star Coaches (left to right) AJ Staley, Ashley Rockwell and LA Hall

“Orangetheory is for people of all ages and fitness levels.” — owner Kelly Ogden

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offering one-on-one instruction, guidance and encouragement along the way. “I feel like it is more effective when we are able to walk around and coach rather than doing the exercise,” she said. “I also enjoy the energy the participants bring to class, because they are ready to do exactly what you say. They know stepping into it (unless it’s their first time) that it’s going to be a tough workout, and they are striving for their ‘splat points’ (points earned for working within the specified training zone). I’m there to assist them in doing that rather than it being a show.”

“It’s kind of like a family,” Coach AJ Staley added. “Everyone is headed toward the same goal and has the same mindset.”

THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE The Orangetheory workout consists of three components: endurance, strength and power, but the focus changes every day, making each session a surprise, according to Head Coach Ashley Rockwell. While you can look at the schedule and know who the instructor will be, you won’t know which workout is coming until you walk into class, she explained. “You are never going to do the exact same workout twice, and you can’t cherry-pick the classes you like to avoid exercises you don’t want to do. But once you’ve done the workout, you leave with a sense of accomplishment and feel great!”

FRIENDLY COMPETITION Technically speaking, at OTF, you are only competing with yourself by working to improve your performance. And that’s where strong coaching comes into play. “We’re going to try to push you to do better when you can

ORANGE

do better. As you’re getting more in shape, we encourage you to push past what you were doing previously,” Staley said.

At the same time, you may enjoy a little friendly competition within your fitness family. At OTF, you will get plenty of encouragement from fellow participants as well as an opportunity to sign up for a variety of challenges including the eight-week Transformation Challenge, Marathon, a new rowing challenge coming soon, and the recent “dri-tri”—a simulated triathlon without the water.

TRY IT FOR FREE! First-time local residents are invited to try Orangetheory Fitness Hilton Head for free. You can sign up online or drop by the studio to reserve a spot in class. When you fall in love with the workout (and you will), a variety of membership packages are available, with no annual contract required. What’s more, your prepaid sessions will be honored at any OTF studio, so you can get in your orange zone most anywhere your travels may take you.

Whether you are a seasoned fitness veteran or a newbie who has never graced the door of a gym, at OTF, you’re going to get a workout that will challenge your body in a precise way that is perfect for you. The hour blinks by, because it’s so much fun, and you get to leave with a sense of accomplishment, more energy for the day, a greater zest for life.

Who wants the kind of metabolism that keeps gobbling up calories while you eat, sleep, and go about your day? Get it at Orangetheory Fitness Hilton Head.  Orangetheory Fitness Hilton Head is located at 430 William Hilton Parkway, in the new Sea Turtle Marketplace on Hilton Head Island. For more information, visit https://hilton-head. orangetheoryfitness.com or call (843) 473-4505. Like them on Facebook at otfhhi.

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BellaDae Medical Spa carries Zo Skin Health, a medical grade line of skincare products, along with an assortment of organic, natural lines.

ARTICLE BY BECCA EDWARDS

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’d bet you 20 bucks if you were to look at Shannon Ford, owner of BellaDae Medical Spa, you could not guess her age. Ford has found the fountain of youth, and she is willing to share her secret with her clients. “Consistency is the first step,” she said. “If you go to the gym only once or maybe three times a year, will you see results?

Of course not. It’s the same with your skin. That’s why, at BellaDae, we take a tailor-made approach to helping our clients achieve their specific skincare goals,” explained Ford, who has been in working in the medical spa industry for 15 years. “When you come in to the spa, we will ask you, ‘Why did you come in today?’ Many people will say, ‘I don’t know; I just feel like I need something.’ To which I reply, ‘But what bothers you most?’ Usually people say, ‘Everything!’ but I tell them they’re beautiful, so let’s just pinpoint and prioritize.”

Because Ford is an anti-aging ace, a great percentage of her clients choose to focus on antiaging treatments. If you, too, want to turn back the clock, Ford explains how she will help you: Step 1: Complimentary Consultation “Your first consultation is always free. We will look at your skin with a loupe that provides lit magnification to really examine your skin.”

Step 2: Customized Program “We then set up a customized program. Everyone is different, but typically we would have you come in every four weeks for collagen induction for a total of six procedures. We might alternate each month with collagen induction and hydrafacial.”

i A relaxing treatment room at BellaDae Medical Spa on New Orleans Rd.

Step 3: Skincare Products “We will also run through our skincare products with you and design a regimen that fits your needs, goals and budget. We offer both a medical grade line called Zo Skin Health and some organic, natural lines. We will make sure you have the proper cleanser, toner, exfoliant, serum, moisturizer and, of course, sunblock.”

Step 4: Maintenance Program “After your six collagen induction sessions, we set up a maintenance program. I recommend getting a facial once a month, or at the very least every season. Also, every season we reassess your products. What we recommend in the summer is going to be very different in the winter.”

In addition to anti-aging, Ford specializes in correcting brown spots and acne. “More people come to us with melasma than anything else, and I love to help people overcome them, because melasma can really age people or make them feel uncomfortable,” Ford said. As for her acne clients, “Teenagers make up one of our favorite demographics here at BellaDae. We will see this young girl walk in with her hair hanging around her face, basically shielding it, because she is self-conscious about her acne. But, after a few treatments, it’s so cool to see her walk in with a high ponytail and a smile.”  BallaDae Medical Spa is located at 37 New Orleans Road, Suite C. To learn more, visit belladaespa.com or call (843) 298-3824.

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Pop-up dinners with Vivian Howard will take place Friday, Nov. 23, and Saturday, Nov. 24, at Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar

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LUCKY ROOSTER KITCHEN + BAR to Host Southern Pop-Up with Vivian Howard

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ood tells a story. Southern cooking, especially, tells a story. A story woven through generations and rooted to the land around it. That’s what makes it such a powerful and rich legacy still savored today.

Chef Vivian Howard, known for her award-winning PBS show A Chef’s Life, will bring her stories and recipes to Hilton Head Island for two nights of dinners at Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar, where she’ll collaborate with chef Clayton Rollison to present recipes from her cookbook Deep Run Roots on Nov. 23 and 24.

The book is named for her hometown of Deep Run, North Carolina—a place she describes as the middle of nowhere.

After a decade in New York, however, she returned in 2005 and opened her popular restaurant Chef & the Farmer in nearby Kinston.

Howard’s parents were farmers who raised hogs and grew tobacco, cotton, soybeans and corn. She attended boarding school, studied English at North Carolina State University, and dreamt of becoming a food writer. She completed a culinary-focused study-abroad program in Argentina while at

Chef and star of A Chef’s Life, Vivian Howard

Chef and Owner of Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar, Clayton Rollison.

NCSU but started her career in advertising in New York City.

Eighteen months later, she quit and started her first restaurant job at Voyage. She decided to attend culinary school, graduating from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City in 2004.

“I started working in restaurant kitchens because I wanted to turn that experience into a career in food writing,” Howard said. “I guess then, Deep Run Roots, my first cookbook, is the culmination of that pursuit.”

But before the cookbook came the cooking. Howard interned at Wylie Dufresne’s wd~50 and trained as Chef de Partie at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Spice Market, both award-winning restaurants in NYC. She started a soup delivery business out of the apartment she shared with her husband, Ben Knight, a coworker from Voyage.

They chilled soup in the bathtub and considered a brick-and-mortar location that had interested investors.

Someone else wanted to invest in Howard and Knight, though— Howard’s parents. Her father offered to help them start their restaurant, along with a parcel of land where they could build a house.

Chef & the Farmer is known for its commitment to local sourcing— more than 60 percent of ingredients come from within 90 miles of the restaurant. Howard hoped the restaurant would help transition displaced tobacco farmers into food farmers; they now work with nearly two dozen different local farmers.

“I often tell people that Ben and I had our first baby in June 2006,” when the restaurant opened, Howard said. “I’m proud of what our first child has accomplished and excited for her future.”

They’ve opened two additional restaurants and have a third on the way. Boiler Room Oyster Bar is also in Kinston, with Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria in Wilmington. A bakery is set to join the Kinston lineup. They also have two non-restaurant children, twins Theo and Flo. Many people became acquainted with Howard through the PBS series she co-created, A Chef’s Life, in which she spotlighted Southern ingredients for five seasons. The show’s final season aired last fall and will close out with a “Harvest Special” episode that is scheduled to broadcast nationally on Monday, Oct. 22.

Rollison said his story is much like Howard’s. He’s a Hilton Head Island native who grew up on the island but went on to attend culinary school in NYC. Like her, he felt the pull to return to his roots and highlight the Lowcountry’s ingredients and culture.

“I’m excited to work with chef Vivian and share her food story with Hilton Head,” he said. “Thanksgiving is such a time of creating special memories over food, and these dinners will be a great opportunity to gather with your friends and family and do just that.”

When Howard and her family come to Hilton Head for these dinners, they will make it a long holiday weekend. They look forward to exploring and enjoying all the island has to offer. Ziplining may be on their leisure itinerary when Howard is not in Lucky Rooster’s kitchen.

The pop-up dinners with Vivian Howard will take place Friday, Nov. 23, and Saturday, Nov. 24, at Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar, 841 William Hilton Parkway. This will be not only a great opportunity to sample chef Howard’s recipes from her cookbook, but copies of her cookbook will be available for sale, and she’s happy to personalize them for guests. Sounds like a great holiday gift to us!  To make a reservation, call (843) 681-3474. For more information, follow Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar on social media.

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Q Parallel accent walls of brick contrast with crisp whites and neutral tones in a formal dining and conversation area set before a fireplace.

ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMANN

BUILDING STUNNING OCEANFRONT HOME BY BRIGHTON BUILDERS REVELS IN OCEANFRONT LUXURY

Beyond

here’s a saying that applies to so many situations in life, written on motivational posters and exercise apparel the world over: Go big or go home. Brighton Builders has found a way to do both with this jaw-dropping oceanfront home. As you’d expect from a first-row manor right on the water, it’s big: 8,500 square feet indoors and out comprise the many grand living spaces that make up the property. Considering the narrow footprint of the lot they had to work with, it’s a wonder of engineering.

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S The most eye-catching element of the second floor is the large rotunda, which spins third-coast Michigan cottage charm into the Lowcountry appeal of the home.

BUILDING

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Q The oceanfront scenery played a central role in the design philosophy of the house, with the rear of the property boasting some of the most elegant living spaces, both indoor and outdoor.

But perhaps more remarkable is how none of the 8,500 square feet overwhelm.

“We tried to make the house feel as comfortable as possible without making it too big,” said Ben Kennedy of Brighton Builders. “The house doesn’t feel big when you walk in. It feels more impressive than big.”

Impressive is the correct word for this masterpiece of modern luxury construction.

And while some might have seen a challenge in the confinement of a narrow lot, Brighton saw opportunity to create drama and upend some of the standard rules of homebuilding.

Begin with one of the cardinal rules of homebuilding: The entrance must do nothing less than drop jaws, while the rear of the house can largely be utilitarian.

Towering brick facades, Romanesque pillars stretching to the sky—this is how a modern home greets you. And then in the back, maybe some patios or something.

Whatever.

Brighton Builders subverted this trope to marvelous effect, with an entryway that pleases the eye but mostly serves to draw you in so that you can be properly dazzled by the home’s sublime oceanfront views.

“You walk in the front door, look straight back and all you see is ocean. It’s meant to embrace you as soon as you walk in the front door,” Kennedy said. “That, to me, is a staggering moment.”

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That scenery played a central role in the design philosophy of the house, with the rear of the property boasting some of the most elegant living spaces, both indoor and outdoor. As a home, it’s a celebration of oceanfront living.

“Everywhere you go in the back of that house is picturesque,” Kennedy said. “The rear of the house was important because of the views. We wanted to absorb every bit of the ocean.”

Outdoor living spaces on the ground floor exult in five-star resort amenities, from the spacious pool to the comfortable splashdown jacuzzi. As the pool deck gives way to travertine, the wide patio offers an al fresco living space, complete with retractable screens to seal off the area from no-seeums, and wide doors of sliding glass to meld the indoor and outdoor living spaces.

And up above, you’ll find some of the most architecturally intriguing elements of the home. A wide upper balcony creates the perfect atmosphere for entertaining, with panoramic views of the ocean and light breezes that carry just a hint of salt air.

But the most eye-catching element of this second floor is the large rotunda, which spins third-coast Michigan cottage charm into the Lowcountry appeal of the home. From the outside, it contributes an intriguing angle to the roofline. From the inside, it surrounds you with oceanfront scenery and blissful comfort. In a house

filled with exquisite craftsmanship and luxurious spaces, Kennedy considers this his favorite.

“It feels like you’re sitting out on the beach,” he said. “You could sit there all day just reading a book and never want to leave.

As soon as you walk in you instantly relax.”

That instant relaxation owes a good deal to the stunning waterfront views, which can also be found in the master bedroom just to the other side of the wide balcony.

Set in a neutral color scheme and marked by a sense of spaciousness from vaulted ceilings, the master is a blissful retreat that enjoys some of the home’s finest views. It also benefits from the dedication to luxury found throughout the house, with a spa-like en suite that luxuriates in high-end finishes and amenities from a standalone soaking tub and cavernous walk-in shower.

And you’ll find similar adherence to quality in each of the home’s seven bedrooms, as in the kids’ retreat that offers built-in bunkbeds that conceal a secret play area. Or the way each bedroom places a high priority on privacy, while never forgetting that this is a family home, one marked by open space for coming together to share a meal or a sunset.

The first floor’s open living space was built around the views, but has plenty of architectural intrigue to offer its own visual spectacle. Parallel accent walls of brick contrast with crisp whites and neutral tones

Q Outdoor living spaces on the ground floor exult in five-star resort amenities, from the spacious pool to the comfortable splash-down jacuzzi. As the pool deck gives way to travertine, the wide patio offers an al fresco living space, complete with retractable screens to seal off the area from no-see-ums, and wide doors of sliding glass to meld the indoor and outdoor living spaces. in a formal dining and conversation area set before a fireplace.

And the placement of the kitchen’s wide center island gives the space its proper due as the heart of the house, while allowing the home’s chef to enjoy the scenery while making preparations.

And in the event of entertaining, the second floor doubles the amount of living space with its own self-sustaining ecosystem of a wine bar, sitting area and kitchenette.

It’s a setup that speaks to the depth of planning that went into the home. With the assistance of Benchmark Design Studios in Michigan, Brighton Builders went into this with every detail mapped and accounted for.

“Every space was planned out. Every light fixture, the trim designed around it, was all planned out,” Kennedy said. “Everything

was specifically designed and customized to fit this house. There was no guess work; it was like putting a big puzzle together once you have all the pieces set.”

Of course, there are always factors you can’t control. (Two hurricanes, a snowstorm and a hail storm all occurred during construction.) Plus, there was the swimming pool they found under the old structure that nobody knew about until they started digging into it. “That was quite an ordeal,” Kennedy laughed.

But forces of wind and weather and unforeseen swimming pools could not deter Brighton Builders from creating in this space a home that defines their mission statement.

“We build beyond,” Kennedy said. “Our motto is ‘Build Beyond,’ and this is a perfect example of what that means.”  C2 MAGAZINE

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The newly remodeled Bucci & Murrayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on the Harbour offers the Italian food specialties youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve come to love in a pub-style atmosphere with water views.

Article by Linda S. Hopkins Photography by M.Kat

IRISH meets Italian at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina Bucci & Murray’s Pub on the Harbour

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s more and more restaurants explore fusion cuisine, the American palate continues to expand and evolve. But husband and wife team Christina Bucci and Bob Murray have taken the concept a step further, creating a brand new dining concept that combines not only two cuisines but two distinct cultures with a broad range of appeal. It’s all happening at Bucci & Murray’s Pub in the picturesque setting at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, adding the unique element of natural beauty and hospitality that is the hallmark of the Harbour. Think gorgeous sunsets and magnificent water views, a delicious combination of Italian cuisine and Irish pub food, live music and dancing, plus sports galore. Does it get any better than that?

After an extensive summer-long renovation, the restaurant, formerly Bucci’s Italian Cuisine, has not only transformed its look, but has a new personality to match. The concept was to combine a New England-style pub with a classic Italian restaurant

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Sports fans will appreciate typical pub fare, served with a side of large screen TV’s for enjoying the game.

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A seafood dish with scallops, clams, mussels and shrimp is the Chef’s Special on a busy night in October.

IRISH meets Italian to create a more relaxed atmosphere where everybody from the die-hard sports fan to a family on vacation can feel at home.

One of the most exciting new features is a 28-foot inside bar, facing the Harbour to maximize the view. “A lot of places build bars, but the bartender has the best view and the patrons are looking at a wall,” Murray said. “I turned it around, so they’re looking out the glass windows at the marina.”

But if sports are more your bag than boats and sunsets, don’t worry, because you can have the best of it all. Bucci and Murray added three 50-inch TVs above the new bar as well as TVs throughout the venue so you can follow your favorite team and never miss a play, indoors or out.

According to Murray, the new inside bar, in addition to the existing patio bar, presents the opportunity to serve more people, especially during their popular happy hour, which takes place daily from 4-7 p.m. (bar and high tops only, 21 and up) except on Tuesdays when the restaurant is closed during the fall/winter season. They’ll be back in full swing on Tuesdays this spring and summer when our seasonal visitors return and the HarbourFest activities resume, Bucci said, but for now, they are catering to local families and sports fans as well as folks who just want to enjoy delicious food and drinks in a lively environment.

The other exciting addition is the indoor performance stage, where local musicians perform and customers can let loose on the dance floor. “We set out to make this a light, joyful place where you can enjoy both Irish and Italian cuisine while taking in the views of beautiful Shelter Cove Harbour,” Bucci said. “Our passion is to provide our customers with an experience that combines amazing food, live entertainment, and a love of sports in a fun, friendly environment.”

Besides all the new energy and buzz the pub is bringing to the area, Bucci and Murray are committed to offering their customers a diverse dining experience.

Besides all the new energy and buzz the pub is bringing to the area, Bucci and Murray are committed to offering their customers a diverse dining experience.

While the overall feel of the restaurant is casual, the menu is rather complex—not in a stuffy “I don’t know what I’m ordering” kind of way, but in the matter of variety and choice. Whether you are in the mood for eggplant rollatini (a house favorite, back by popular demand), shepherd’s pie (a classic Irish dish with a twist), or Lowcountry-style crab cakes, your taste buds are in for a treat. Or maybe you’re craving a Philly cheese steak, a traditional 92

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Christina Bucci entertains patrons with John Legend’s “All of Me.”

Reuben, a meatball grinder, a scratch-made pizza, or a juicy all-American burger. You’ve got it! The combination of local seafood offerings along with Italian favorites and traditional pub fare makes way for every appetite.

The restaurant welcomes a new executive chef, Pedro Gomez, who has worked in the food and beverage business for more than 40 years, with experience as a chef in Spain, New York City, Miami and Savannah prior to joining the team at Bucci & Murray’s Pub on the Harbour. He’s backed up by a team of faithful co-workers from front of the house managers and servers to the prep cooks and other support staff who work together seamlessly, delivering the consistent experience their customers have come to expect.

Full menu service is available daily from 4-9:30 p.m. (pizza served until 10 p.m.), with sports, conversation, laughter and fun extending “until” to satisfy the night owls among us. Lunch is available from noon-3 p.m. And don’t forget the island’s best happy hour from 4-7 p.m.

The newly designed restaurant has 205 seats and will take evening reservations for 69 of those seats. The rest are reserved for walk-ins—first come, first served. Families with children are welcome, and the open-air patio is dogfriendly. Come watch football with your fellow fans, make it a couple’s night, stop in for cocktails and entertainment, or bring the family, including your furry friend. Get ready for an all-new experience at one of the most vibrant venues in town.  Bucci & Murray’s Pub on the Harbour is located at 13 Harbourside Lane on Hilton Head Island, overlooking the fabulous Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. For a peek at the menu or the scoop on the entertainment schedule, visit buccishhi.com, follow on Facebook, or call (843) 785-3300.

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grew up in New Jersey and visited New York City a number of times before moving to Atlanta as a teenager. I did not, however, go to Gotham City to attend the Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thanksgiving Parade but instead watched it on TV as religiously as I ate turkey, stuffing and other holiday staples and watched football. My wife, Fran, an Ohio native, likewise settled for the televised version of the parade, a tradition we continued after getting married in 1995 and that our son Paul started shortly after he learned to walk. We vowed to one day attend in person.

That day finally came in 2017. We drove north with millions of our closest friends on the busiest travel day of the year and arrived in Manhattan late that Wednesday

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night. Fran had procured a hotel room a short distance from Central Park for a mere $200 a night; it was a nice room but not overly spacious. Welcome to New York, the city that never sleeps on a chance to make a buck.

On Thanksgiving morning, we walked about a half mile to the park, the streets teeming with people with the same destination in mind. There was a feeling of anticipation and excitement in the cold air as we scurried along, exchanging greetings with the on-duty police officers we encountered along the way. Having worked before on holidays, I appreciated their presence and wanted to thank them.

We came to a street across from Central Park and sought some choice standing spots among the gathering crowd. Since we were several blocks away from where the parade started, we knew we had a bit of a wait before

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Charlie Brown, the Pillsbury Dough Boy and their giant friends came floating by.

We chatted with some people standing near us and learned they were from Georgia and, like us, were attending the parade for the first time. We saw heavily armed police and military in the area, scanning the crowd for any signs of trouble. It eventually came in the form of a belligerent, young woman who was arguing with a policeman about something and eventually earned a spot in the back of a patrol car. Alas, she wouldn’t have a chance to dance with the Rockettes.

Shortly after this way-off-Broadway play ended, we heard the sound of music and knew the parade was getting closer.

Finally, after several hours of waiting, the first float came into view—Scrat, the squirrel from Ice Age, whose pursuit of an acorn remains a fruitless one, as the nut continually eludes its grasp or, in some cases, escapes its clutches following yet another mishap to the hapless rodent. Meanwhile, it felt like they were filming a sequel to Ice Age. It was cold and breezy, and since we were standing in one spot, it was difficult to say warm. Any thoughts of going to Times Square for the New Year’s Eve celebration, when it’s colder, more crowded, and the wait time considerably longer, quickly floated out of my mind. There are certain advantages to watching the ball drop and the parade on TV. As floats go, the squirrel was average in size and appeared almost lifelike. I kept waiting for a tree or skyscraper to fall on Scrat. A parade of floats followed, including Charlie Brown, the Pillsbury Doughboy, a Power Ranger, Spongebob Squarepants, and a host of modern cartoon characters that I asked my son to identify. The Pillsbury Doughboy and Power Ranger were among the larger floats, seemingly taking up the entire block as they moved slowly along, filling me with the awe and wonder of a child as I gazed up at them. After all the years of watching the parade on TV, it felt surreal to finally see it in person and take in the artistry and size of the floats. As with a sporting event or concert, live is better.

The floats, while definitely the biggest attractions, shared the parade route with marching bands and a lineup of celebrities that included Smokey Robinson, Jimmy Fallon and the actor Common.

There was nothing common about our parade experience, however. Although we were ready to leave after standing for three to four hours in the cold, it was a good kind of tired. We truly loved a parade that proved to be larger than life and had us floating on cold air, just like our airborne friends.

“It was an amazing experience,” Fran said. “It was exciting.

The floats were smaller than I thought. They look larger on TV.” Speaking of TV, Fran says she’ll likely watch future parades from the comfort and warmth of home. “I couldn’t believe how frigid it was,” she said. “I had to wrap my whole head in a scarf. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Paul found the parade to be cool and cold. “It was really cold,” he said. “Still, it was just a cool experience to finally see it in person after seeing it on TV all those years. The floats are something else. Seeing famous people was pretty cool.”

With the parade over, our next challenge was to float a loan from a financial institution to cover any charges we incurred while staying in New York for two days after Thanksgiving.

Although there’s no charge to watch the parade, finding other freebies in the Big Apple is about as likely as Scrat finally getting a hold of that elusive acorn. 

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he holidays seem to arrive earlier and earlier each year. By the time the last few pieces of Halloween candy have been eaten and the Jack-O-Lantern has started to sag on the front porch, the Christmas season is in full swing. The holidays are a joyous occasion for many, filled with family, friends and festivities. And amidst all the gifts, parties and family visits, it is easily forgotten that, for some, the holiday is a lonely reminder that something (or someone) is missing.

For some military families, it can be challenging to invoke feelings of good cheer.

Holidays spent away from extended family or from a beloved duty station can be depressing.

And, of course, deployment during this time of year is especially difficult for families.

Contrast our comfort and coziness this season to the dry, dusty, dirty conditions of the Middle East. A deployed spouse may be able to join in on the holiday festivities by Skype, if it is working.

Military families have learned to make the best out of whatever hand they have been dealt.

Because this time of year can evoke feelings of loneliness and overwhelm for a service member’s family, it is best to take a moment to reflect on the many things we have to be thankful for. That doesn’t mean that we can’t feel the absence of a service member deployed, or be homesick for longtime holiday traditions that are now hundreds of miles (and expensive airfare) away. Remembering what we have to be thankful

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for will give us the strength to get through the tough stuff.

I have had many difficult holidays as a military spouse, but I realize how fortunate I am.

My blessings are countless, and the military has given me many of them. Here are a few things I am grateful to the military for this holiday season: Appreciation of time. It’s impossible to take time for granted anymore, and I have learned not to squander it. It is precious and fleeting, and you don’t know when it will run out. My husband and I are either begging for it to slow down before a separation, or pleading with it to speed up during one. I’ve seen how fast the hours and minutes can fly, and how slowly they can go. Time is hardly ever on your side. When my husband is home, especially during the holidays, it is the greatest gift I could ever be given.

Being stationed away from family. I know, this is the antithesis of what I just said, but in some ways, it has worked to our advantage as husband and wife. My husband and I have learned to depend on each other and to work as a team.

We have a stronger relationship because of it.

It’s impossible to take time for granted anymore, and I have learned not to squander it. It is precious and fleeting, and you don’t know when it will run out. My husband and I are either begging for it to slow down before a separation, or pleading with it to speed up during one.

Holiday Heart Friends who become family. Friends are essential to surviving military life. Our friends have become a second family, especially during the holidays. We create new traditions together, we pool our resources so no one has to be alone for a meal, and we are sensitive to the emotional challenges this lifestyle can present during this time of year. Military life forces you to develop friendships at a rapid pace, and the ones you do develop are usually lifelong bonds. Our military family is the biggest blessing of military life. I cherish them all, and love that this family grows with every single move.

To be among heroes. There is a growing disconnect in today’s society between civilians and the military. This militarycivilian “gap”—the social and cultural divide between those who have served and those who have not—has been discussed in various articles and studies. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are often portrayed in mainstream media, movies and TV shows as unstable PTSD victims who need to be medicated to function in everyday society. That doesn’t necessarily enhance the public’s perception of veterans and often makes veterans feel even more alienated. In reality, they are heroes, and we owe them an incredible debt of gratitude. They have committed their lives to something bigger than themselves, and it is inspiring to be a part of that. As a spouse, I am not a hero. But by supporting the service of my husband, I know that I am making a difference as well, and for that, I am thankful.

I hold my husband and his dedication to his country in the highest regard. I am eternally grateful to have been a part of this life for the past six years. Here’s to many more!

So this year, as we gather around whatever table, in whatever part of the world, with whatever family is available, I hope that we can all remember the wonderful blessings that come along with being a member of a military family. You may have your hero at your table, or you may be hoping to get a treasured phone call. Or, you may not be military at all. If that is the case, pause and give thanks to those who have sacrificed time with their loved ones so that your family could be together without worry or care.

No matter what the circumstances, take the time to be thankful, lean on each other, and embrace the meaning of the holiday.

Happy Holidays!  Angela Krysevig, originally from Pittsburgh, lives in Augusta, Georgia with her husband, son and daughter. She operates a blog, https://armywifeandmommylife.svbtle. com/, which chronicles her experiences as a military wife and mother.

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Gold fillings helped archaeologists identify the skull of 1st Lt. Alexander “Sandy” Bonnyman, Jr., when it was discovered in 2015.

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PHOTOS BY CLAY BONNYMAN EVANS

FROM CHAPTER TEN Proud to Claim the Title: June 1942-November 1943 On October 19, 1942, my grandfather, Alexander “Sandy” Bonnyman, Jr., boarded the USS Matsonia as part of Headquarters Company, 6th Marines, arriving in Wellington, New Zealand, on November 4. Wellington was about as close to home as a marine could get overseas, reminding many of San Francisco with its wharves, hills, and temperate climate. When the marines weren’t training, they enjoyed milkshakes and ice cream sodas at the city’s many “milk bars,” ate hearty

BONES OF MY GRANDFATHER: RECLAIMING A HERO OF WORLD WAR II meals of fresh lamb, beef, and eggs, and drank Waitemata beer and eye-opening Australian “jump whiskey,” a “villainous, green Mexican distillation.”

On November 25, my grandfather was promoted to corporal and appointed to F Company, 2nd Battalion, 18th Marine Regiment, “to take full advantage of his talent and ability … (as an) engineer.” His experience in the mining business had prepared him well for such a role, and he was excited to be “back in my old trade.”

The New York Times editorial page wrote admiringly of combat engineers: “They are masters of many trades, men-of-all-work as well as men-at-arms. … They lay and unlay mines, dig trenches, run railroads and railroad shops, make bridges, roads, fortifications, airports, bomb-proofs, gun emplacements, barracks, anything buildable.

They map and camouflage. They are photographers and cinematographers. They incinerate, refrigerate, disinfect. They are first-class plumbers. They attend to the water supply. They are expert handlers of explosives and all tools, including a rifle and a bayonet. One of their favorite sports is tossing a flame-thrower at a pillbox. … They are real Yanks of the Yankiest kind.”

Sandy’s 18th Engineers, aka Pioneers, were among some 3,800 marines billeted alongside the Third Wellington Regiment of the New Zealand Army in the Judgeford Valley, a bucolic farming community north of Wellington. He boarded the USS President Jackson December 24 and spent Christmas at anchor in Wellington Harbor before sailing for the Solomon Islands to mop up after the First Marine Division, which had been fighting—and winning—the grinding jungle campaign on Guadalcanal since August. He made landfall on January 4, 1943.

Engineers were jacks-of-all-trades on the island, serving as everything from infantry to demolitions experts to bridge builders. Sandy Bonnyman’s most notable task in his six weeks on “the canal” was supervising construction of a pontoon bridge over the Toha River. His team labored from daylight until dark and bivouacked on the river, where Japanese artillery or machine-gun fire kept them awake half the night. In the morning they breakfasted on scalding coffee and hardtack before getting back to work.

“It was due to Sandy’s energy, ingenuity, and his personality that he was able to have his men erect this bridge in record time,” Col. Gilder D. Jackson, Jr. recalled.

Bonny, as his marine buddies now called my grandfather, made little fuss over his first taste of combat, when his reconnaissance team surprised eight Japanese fighters, killing three.

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Stories of a dramatic jungle ambush and bridge building make good copy. But on Guadalcanal, as it would be on Tarawa, it was Sandy Bonnyman’s leadership and work ethic that won the respect of his fellow marines. As Jackson wrote, “He was always cheerful, ready to work 24 hours a day without rest, and was always to be found in the front line, trying to do some job that would make the infantry advance a little bit easier.”

Sandy’s hard work paid off, and on February 7, 1943, he received a commission as a second lieutenant. His commanding officer, Capt. Joseph Clerou, recommended that he be given command of a company once the Second Marine Division had finished up on Guadalcanal. Seven months after entering the Marine Corps as a private, against the odds, my grandfather was an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.

The Bonnyman family was elated at the news, and with good reason. At Guadalcanal, enlisted men of the First Marine Division had been killed at nearly twice the rate of officers, a ratio that would be matched at Tarawa.

On February 19, the marines handed Guadalcanal over to the Army and 2nd Lt. Alexander Bonnyman, Jr. sailed back to New Zealand aboard the USS President Adams.

Having tasted combat, he was eager for more.

“When we do get another chance,” he wrote his wife Josephine in Santa Fe, “I believe we will do a good job. We certainly pray and hope so because the First Division certainly gave us a mark at which to shoot.”

But it would be nine long months before the Second Marine Division engaged the enemy again.

FROM CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Striking Gold: 2014-2015 By the time I walked over to the dig site my first day back on the tiny island of Betio, Tarawa Atoll, Republic of Kiribati, the sun was high and hot. History Flight archaeologist Kristen Baker and former Army Special Forces medic John Frye had fully exposed the remains in grave #8 of what we now knew was long-lost Cemetery 27, carefully removing and wrapping every bone, fragment, and piece of material evidence—the rubber soles of boondockers, the standard-issue U.S. Marine combat boots; shreds of sock; ammunition clips; and more— in aluminum foil before placing it into large plastic evidence bags.

Like three-quarters of the remains that eventually would be recovered from Cemetery 27, those in #8 were wrapped in a green, rubberized canvas poncho. Like all but three of the marines reported to have been buried in the trench, Pfc. James Mansfield was killed on the first day of fighting but wasn’t buried until several days later. Given the advanced state of decomposition, burial details simply wrapped remains in ponchos, apparently making little or no effort to remove gear or personal items.

Exhuming poncho-covered remains day after day, Kristen was seeing the fascinating effects of the moisture-retaining microenvironment, which had preserved a host of typically biodegradable materials, including leather, hair, even a pack of Camel cigarettes.

But the moisture inside the ponchos also made many bones porous and fragile.

“Things fall apart,” Kristen murmured down in the hole, quoting Yeats.

I had seen bits and pieces of human remains in my previous work with History Flight on Betio, as well as the skeletons of Pfc. Randolph Allen and four Japanese at Cemetery 26, but this was the first time I was able to get in for a closer look. The soles of Mansfield’s boots seemed so human and awoke me to the reality of what lay before me.

“Jesus, I don’t want to die alone,” Johnny Cash sang mournfully from Kristen’s boom box on the edge of the hole.

Kristen worked assiduously to follow and even surpass the standard operating procedures she learned while working at the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, which is tasked with locating and recovering missing U.S. battlefield remains (in 2015, Congress merged JPAC with another agency to create the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Agency). When a JPAC team recovered three sets of remains from Cemetery 25 in 2012, they didn’t bother collecting every tiny toe or finger bone or fragment of rib, but Kristen was intent on preserving even the smallest grain of evidence, right down to sock threads that fit on the tip of her little finger.

“They have good standards, but I tend to go above and beyond,” she said. “It’s a matter of respect, too. These guys deserve the best treatment we can give them.”

Based on solid provisional identifications of remains whose grave locations neatly corresponded with archival records, Kristen was confident that we were on track to find my grandfather in grave #17. When we did—if we did—his teeth would provide virtually instant confirmation of his identity: Kristen had practically memorized his dental chart, which revealed extensive work and multiple gold restorations. Upon examining each successive set of remains, Kristen took to pronouncing, “No gold.”

“Gold was very expensive and unusual at the time, and there weren’t very many people, particularly in the marines, who had gold bridges and fillings,” she said. “In the 40 people buried here, only maybe three or four had any gold fillings at all.”

After so many years of anticipation, my mind refused to share her confidence, and in my jittery state, I constantly imagined nightmare scenarios: “Unfortunately, it looks like there’s been extensive disturbance after #15…” or “There’s a trash pit where your grandfather should be….”

When I got to the dig site at 8 a.m. on May 28, 2015, the team had shovel-shaved about two feet into the sand, exposing the butt of a green, World War II-era Japanese beer bottle in the south-facing wall.

At mid-morning, sand began to trickle into a small, oval void below the beer bottle. Kristen, sporting one of her trademark skull bandanas, pulled on blue latex surgical gloves and gently palpated the hole.

“It’s the edge of a helmet,” she said. “There is a cranium inside.”

Over the next few minutes, she carefully brushed away sand, keeping it level and smooth. As I looked over her shoulder, something else came into view: a small, smooth patch of brown just a few inches from the helmet. My heart began to thud faster.

“Another cranium,” Kristen said evenly.

She continued to expose the area, singing along with Shinedown’s rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Simple Man: “Boy, don’t you worry, you’ll find yourself/Follow your heart and nothing else … And be a simple kind of man/Oh, be something you love and understand….”

I’d always seen a little of myself in the song, but now I thought of my grandfather: “Take your time, don’t live too fast/Troubles will come and they will pass.”

Goosebumps prickled my skin in the tropical heat and I raised the video camera to my eye, focusing on Kristen’s blue-gloved hands.

I held my breath, trying to hold steady. From behind me, I heard John say, “Yup.” A split second later, Kristen said the word I’d been waiting to hear: “Gold.”  Clay Bonnyman Evans is the author of Bones of My Grandfather: Reclaiming a Lost Hero of World War II, Skyhorse Publishing, 300 pp. w/black-and-white and color photos. $24.99. The book is available at bookstores and online retailers everywhere. (Note: Footnotes from the published edition have been removed from these excerpts.) For more information, visit www.bonesofmygrandfather.com.

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ARTICLE BY STEPHEN PRUDHOMME . PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

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Local franchise owner John Brown is nominating one of his employees for the College Hunks Hauling Junk “Hunk of the Year” Award. H.U.N.K.S. stands for Honest, Uniform, Nice, Knowledgeable and Service.

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ince 2001, Beth Prince has been practicing law in South Carolina. Although Prince is a family law attorney, she considers herself primarily a trial attorney who practices family law. “In South Carolina, there are no juries in family court. However, my background with jury trials brings a breadth of experience,” Prince said. “Jury trials require a different courtroom technique. If you cut your teeth on jury trials, as I have, it is a theatrical production.

You have to decide what story you want the judge and jury to believe. You have to tell your version of this event and a set of facts and get them to see your perspective.

“I have learned from years of experience you do not win with argument, you win with how you present the facts,” Prince added. “I spend a lot of time thinking about how to tell my clients’ side of the story. Many times my clients come to me worried they are going to be painted as the villain, and we have to figure out how to turn that around.”

In addition to her professional knowledge, Prince brings her personal insight into how life works and how we as human beings function. “We all have done things we wish we could take back, but these things should not define us,” Prince said. “People going through a family law dispute such as child custody or divorce are worried about the most fundamental aspects of their lives—their family, their home.

Some fear they are literally going to get the rug pulled out from under them. They are experiencing one of the worst events in their lives.”

For this reason, Prince creates a personal connection with her clients and strives to be forthright and fully educate her clients about their situation, the law and the best possible plan of attack. “When I am working with a client I try to educate him or her and make sure we are always on the same page,” Prince said. “Ultimately, my job

I have learned from years of experience you do not win with argument, you win with how you present the facts.

BETH PRINCE PICTURED WITH HER TWO ENGLISH BULLDOGS DUKE (LEFT) AND JAX (RIGHT).

PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: ELIZA, JAX, BETH, OZZY, CHRIS AND DUKE

is risk management. In order for clients to make informed decisions, they need to understand what I believe a judge is likely to order if we go to court. That way, clients can decide if they should attempt to settle or continue toward a trial.”

According to Prince, family law is one of the most misunderstood areas of law. “People see criminal law depicted on TV or in the movies.

They know phrases like ‘innocent until proven guilty’ or understand the concept that everyone is entitled to a lawyer. People have a general working knowledge of criminal law. But not family law.”

Prince would like for family law to be as well understood as other areas of law, and continued by debunking ten common family law myths: MYTH 1: How money works in a divorce.

“You have heard people say, ‘She took him to the cleaners,’ but that does not really happen. More often these days, we are dividing debt, not assets. Also, people think in a fault-based divorce the ‘innocent’ party will get all the assets, but that is not true. There are no laws to support that.”

MYTH 2: What is required to get a divorce.

“Many people think they cannot get a lawyer until they are separated for a year. In South Carolina, what many think of as a ‘separation’ is called separate maintenance and support, and you can get that before being separated for a year.”

MYTH 3: What “marital property” means.

“We often hear, ‘But this is in his or her name and this is in my name,’ but that usually does not matter. Anything you accumulated during the course of your marriage, with a few technical exceptions, is marital property.”

MYTH 4: Everyone is entitled to dog visitation.

“This one will bring the knives out, but pets are considered property like pots and pans. I don’t agree with it, and it’s not fair, but that is the law. I’ve had cases settled down to the last penny and damn near go to trial over pets.”

MYTH 5: Abandonment.

“In order to file for divorce, you need to physically live apart.

Oftentimes people worry about moving out because they do not want the other party to claim desertion or abandonment. ‘Abandonment’ is not the same thing as moving out of the house. Abandonment is when a person leaves and you do not know where they are because they do not want you to know where they are.”

MYTH 6: Mothers always get custody.

“The law does not necessarily favor moms. Both parties come into court on equal footing under the law. This is a hot topic. Many times dads will say to me, ‘I would love to try for custody, but everyone says I do not have a chance.’ I respond to them, ‘Do not be too quick to say that. Tell me more about your situation.’”

MYTH 7: How long it takes to get a divorce.

Unless you have one of the four grounds (see Myth #8) “I hear one of two things. Either someone has an unrealistic expectation and thinks their divorce will happen quickly and everything will be worked 120

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out in no time. Or, they think, ‘This is going to drag on for years.’ In South Carolina, you must request a final hearing within 365 days from filing. If a case goes on too long, it can be dismissed.

MYTH 8: Irreconcilable differences. “‘Irreconcilable differences’ does not exist in South Carolina.

There are four grounds for divorce: adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness, which also covers narcotics, or desertion (which means your spouse left over a year ago and you do not know where he or she is). Otherwise, you must wait the one-year continuous separation.”

MYTH 9: How child support is determined.

Some people think if the husband or father quits his job he will not have to pay child support. However, if you are voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court will impute income to you.

So, quitting a job in order to claim ‘no income’ will only backfire.”

MYTH 10: “Bulldog” lawyers.

“This is a big one. We hear this all the time, that a client wants ‘a bulldog,’ or they will ask if I am ‘a real bulldog.’ What people often do not understand is that the idea of a ‘bulldog’ lawyer is actually counterproductive and ultimately very expensive. When looking for a lawyer, you want someone who knows how to pick battles, not fight everything just for the sake of fighting. The cost of refusing to be reasonable is both financial and emotional. Every case should not end up like War of the Roses. The reality is that the vast majority of cases are settled without having to go to trial. To increase your likelihood of reaching a good settlement without going broke is to choose someone who is never afraid to go to trial, but who is also going to be reasonable with the other side when and if it is appropriate.”  Prince Law Firm is located 200 Central Avenue, Suite B. To learn more, visit www.bethprincelawfirm.com or call (843) 681-9000.

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pomodori Goes Oven Mitt to Oven Mitt on The Food Network A r t i c l e

W

b y

B e c c a

E d w a r d s

e are elbow to elbow at the bar at Porter and Pig with our eyes hyperfocused on the television screen to see Amanda Russ of Pomodori duke it out with other top local culinary talents Orchid Paulmeier (Marley’s Island Grille), Mir Ali (Lili’s Restaurant and Bar), Neil Youngblood (Blowin’ Smoke) and Kenneth Brown (Sisters of the New South) on the Food Network’s reality show Bite Club. Russ, who has kept us all in suspense as to who the winner is since she filmed the cooking competition several months ago, is in the crowd, too. She looks calm. Cool. Confident. But then again, when does she not?

As Tyler Florence introduces the chefcontestants, we get soundbites from each contender and the show picks up momentum; we become aware of Russ’s passion for her culinary craft and how supportive and respectful she is toward others in her industry. On screen, and in real life, there is something deliciously awesome about her level of professionalism. When we comment on this to Russ she said, “It is impossible to achieve anything in life without learning from different people along the way. I’m so grateful to have wonderful chefs, amazing guests and the best staff I could ever ask for helping me every day.

I wouldn’t be here without you.”

BITE CLUB’S PREMISE Five chefs draw to see which three will compete and which two will judge in the competition.

The competing chefs must incorporate secret ingredients into their dishes (they also have access to whatever else they can find in the hosting restaurant’s kitchen) in two eliminating cookoffs.

When Russ draws and is allowed to compete, everyone gathered to watch her claps. When Russ makes it through the first elimination with her peerjudges praising her summer Georgia peach gazpacho and ricotta gnocchi, everyone high-fives. And when Russ wins Bite Club with her seared loin of lamb with an Asian chile sauce caponata and wilted spinach, everyone erupts into cheers, chugs and group hugs.

We are celebrating Russ, on many levels.

As locals, we always root and holler when one of our own accomplishes national success as Russ did on the Food Network that night. We also think to ourselves, “Thank God, her restaurant is only a 10-minute drive from me having an amazing meal.”

As locals, we always root and holler when one of our own accomplishes national success as Russ did on the Food Network that night. We also think to ourselves, “Thank God, her restaurant is only a 10-minute drive from me having an amazing meal.” But, as foodies, we also consider what it means to be a chef these days. Not only do true chefs like Russ respect time-honored, finger-licking traditions like that of Pomodori’s Italian-inspired cuisine, but they also innovate and introduce current trends and elements to their patrons. This fusion of old and new cooking is as tasty on the palate as it is to us personally. With dishes like the ones created by Russ— and by extension her restaurant Pomodori—we can experience and appreciate different cultures, various food movements and food that truly feeds the body and soul.

Russ credits her win to her friends and family members. “What you see on the screen is pretty wonderful, but what you didn’t see were the two weeks leading up to the competition where I was a nervous wreck,” she said. “Aram Haroutunian, a brilliant chef and a dear friend, came over every other day with ‘mystery baskets’ of food to help me practice. I had never made lamb before Aram brought it in a basket, and I’m so grateful that he was there to coach me and help me hone and focus my skills.” 

Art i c l e by l i n da s . h o pk i n s P h o t o g r a p h y b y m . k at

WESTVIEW INVESTMENT ADVISORS Stepping into your

i Roy, Pat, Jennifer and Robert Sokolowski

financial shoes

A

man walks into a financial advisor’s office… It’s not a joke; there is no punch line. But this is about the time when most people begin to squirm. It’s natural to feel anxious when discussing money, but Roy and Pat Sokolowski, founders of WestView Investment Advisors, have found the solution by stepping into their clients’ financial shoes and sitting on the same side of the table.

Roy, who began his career with 12 years in the brokerage business prior to forming his independent financial advisory firm in 1998, said the way the company is structured was a reaction to things he didn’t feel good about. “It isn’t that any model is inherently bad, but there is a lot of cloudiness in the industry,” he said.

KNOWING THE DIFFERENCE One of the primary differences in WestView’s approach to financial planning and investment management is the transparency regarding their fees. Professional investment advice isn’t free, but the way the Sokolowskis get paid is fully disclosed and transparent: hourly for planning time, and fee-based portfolio management, which is a percentage of the assets they have been entrusted to manage. No tricks, no surprises, no commission-based sales.

As Registered Investment Advisors operating under fiduciary standards, the Sokolowskis also have a legal and ethical obligation to make recommendations that are in the client’s best interest, explained Pat, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ who is responsible for the detailed planning necessary to offer the appropriate advice.

“The planning forms the nucleus,” she said. “If a client desires management, then Roy and I work together to make sure the goals established in the plan get accomplished in the execution.”

“When I open the computer and look at their portfolio, I’m really trying to step into the client’s shoes by doing what I think they would do if they knew what I know. It is all about their goals, how much risk they want to take, their tax bracket, what state they live in … all of those things filter through my consciousness.” Roy said.

Roy also differs in his management style by using individual stocks and bonds. “Our portfolios are primarily the real thing. We don’t tend to use funds very much; we don’t outsource it to another manager. We’re one of the few who still do real bonds. I kiddingly say that I’m sort of a dinosaur that way, but for many people, that is particularly appealing,” he said, citing the definable nature of maturity and income stream from bonds.

One of the primary differences in WestView’s approach to financial planning and investment management is the transparency regarding their fees.

Professional investment advice isn’t free, but the way the Sokolowskis get paid is fully disclosed and transparent: hourly for planning time, and fee-based portfolio management, which is a percentage of the assets they have been entrusted to manage.

Unlike many other financial advisory firms, you don’t need a half million or more dollars to walk in the door. WestView is able to help young professionals who are just getting started. In addition, Pat offers a free consultation where she can sometimes answer a few simple questions and point the client in the right direction.

The Sokolowskis agree the payoff far exceeds their paycheck.

“It’s really rewarding to help people with their financial goals, because it’s not just financial, it’s personal,” Pat said. “We help people at many of life’s transition points, whether it’s new marriages, children, college, divorce, death, student loan debt—all those things.

We’re there for them.”

“We’ve made a good living at it, but I feel good at the end of the day, because we’ve done it the right way,” Roy said. “You can make money, but to be fulfilled in how you’re doing it adds another layer of satisfaction.”

The Sokolowskis have been married 40 years and have two children. They selected Hilton Head Island as their vacation and retirement destination, buying property in 2012 and moving here permanently from Burlington, Vermont in October 2017. Their son Robert and daughter-in-law Jennifer have joined them in the local business, while five non-family members continue operations in Vermont. Their daughter Katie is a freelance floral designer in Brooklyn, New York.  WestView Investment Advisors is an independent, client-focused firm serving families and small businesses. Their office is located at 1 Corpus Christi Place, Suite 106, Hilton Head Island. For more information or to make an appointment, visit https://westviewhhi. com or call (843)271-6088.

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Article by Barry Kaufman

Just AWESOME

(plane)

The most exciting thing to hit aviation since in-flight beverage service has just landed.

E

ven standing still on the tarmac at Hilton Head Island Airport, the Icon A5 looked like it was flying. Seemingly pulled straight out of a James Bond movie, this next-generation seaplane isn’t so much an aircraft as a six-figure sports car with wings. It turns out that was kind of the idea.

“They wanted to design this to make it feel more like a Lamborghini than an airplane,” said product specialist Gary-James Knight.

To say they pulled it off is an understatement.

Inside the cockpit, the usual dizzying cluster of gauges, switches, knobs and yokes has been pared down to an instrument panel that wouldn’t look out place on the dashboard of a Ferrari.

There are several technical innovations that allowed for this simplicity of design, notably the “angle of attack” gauge that gives all the information a pilot needs for takeoff and landing in one elegant design.

“On any other aircraft, you might be scanning four different gauges at a time,” Knight said. “The workload is drastically reduced.”

That simplicity speaks to one of the biggest factors that separates the Icon A5 from any of the light aircraft that circle the skies over Hilton Head Island: it’s overriding philosophy to democratize personal air travel. It’s not quite the flying car we’ve been promised, but it’s a huge leap in the right direction.

Start with the wings, which fold down with the flip of a switch and tuck back along the fuselage, allowing the entire craft to fit into a standard (albeit large) garage. Pop off the ends of the horizontal stabilizer and the whole thing can be towed on a specialized trailer. Add to that the aquatic takeoff and landing capabilities, plus the fact that it can run on premium from the gas station, and you have a flying experience you can enjoy without ever going near an airport.

If you’ve been looking for a reason to get into aviation, and you happen to be the kind of person who can part with $389,000, this is your cue. And it won’t even take that long to get licensed for it.

“With it being certified a light sport plane, the requirement is around 20 hours of training,” Knight said.

Brilliance in design “Believe it or not, nothing on this is for looks,” Knight said. “As much as it looks like a sports car that goes on water, everything has a purpose. Everything goes toward function or the experience of flying. That’s really what this aircraft is designed around.”

The A5 is truly a marvel of engineering.

Start with the carbon fiber body, a material chosen for several purposes. For one, it’s

That simplicity speaks to one of the biggest factors that separates the Icon A5 from any of the light aircraft that circle the skies over Hilton Head Island: it’s overriding philosophy to democratize personal air travel. It’s not quite the flying car we’ve been promised, but it’s a huge leap in the right direction.

incredibly light (after removing the end of the horizontal stabilizer, Knight let me hold it and a stiff breeze almost pulled it out of my hand). Second, it doesn’t corrode in salt water, which is pretty important for a seaplane.

A noticeable change in the airfoil halfway down the wing not only adds to the plane’s fierce appearance, it also creates a spin-resistant wing, the first ever certified by the FAA. “It allows one part of the wing to stall before the other, so if you do stall, you’ll feel it in the controls and can correct it,” Knight explained.

And if you do somehow manage to stall out or suffer some catastrophic failure, the A5 packs a ballistic parachute just above the starboard wing in the event of an emergency, letting the whole plane glide gently to safety. But with the craft being so cutting edge and simple to operate, you’ll likely never need it.

“Our thought here was, let’s simplify this down in the safest way possible that lets you enjoy the experience of flying,” Knight said. 

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A Q&A Series with Local Artists

I S CIANS MU in bathrooms MUSICIAN: JOHN BRACKETT BAND(S): JOHN BRACKETT BAND; JOHN BRACKETT QUARTET

What’s your sign?

Taurus

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

Just FB.

Most underrated song that in your opinion should be a classic: Kate Bush, “This Woman’s Work.”

Finish this verse as if it were the hook of a song: “Sally went down to the bayou...”

With the rage of a hurricane.

Chasing down her cheatin’ man; He was never seen again.

No he was never seen again…

Too dark?

Biggest compliment you’ve ever gotten from a fan?

Keep singing.

What is your favorite song to perform?

Anything by Sting.

What do you sing in the shower?

I’m old fashioned—Johnny Mercer.

Favorite cereal?

Cap’n Crunch’s Peanut Butter Crunch.

At what venue do you most like to perform?

The rooms I like all have great food and staff and good pianos. Redfish, Jazz Corner for Hilton Head.

Most requested song at shows?

“Englishman in New York,” Sting First concert you attended?

My Uncle Larry playing trumpet in a big band. I was hooked.

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

Someone between Kyle Chandler and Al Pacino.

First instrument you learned to play?

I was playing on the piano as a child, but trombone was my main instrument. I still play the same piano at home that I played as a child.

Song you were thrilled to finally master: Haven’t mastered one yet, but I like when Howard Paul and I play “Lullaby of Birdland.”

Who do you like to perform with?

We have a really great group with Howard Paul, Maggie Evans and Fuzzy Davis Do you have a side gig?

No, just three jobs. Sweetpeafishing.com; Brackettphotography.com.

Favorite artist?

Sting

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

Diana Krall, but Tony Bennett just did it.

Place you go to get away from it all: Fishing on Sweet Pea

What animal do you most identify with?

Dog. Chihuahua/Lab mix.

PHO TO G R A PHY BY M.KAT

John Brackett is photographed in the head of his fishing boat, SweetPea.

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CARAMEL APPLE FESTIVAL Heritage Farm Sea Pines Resort 1-3pm caramel apples, games, crafts and more!

(843) 842-1979

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