NOVEMBER 2010
STRUNG OUT
MEET THE NOMINEES FOR CH2’S BACHELOR OF 2011 CONTEST!
RENT VS. OWN
A NEW PARADIGM
4500 CALORIES?!
THANKSGIVING RECIPES, TURKEY TALK AND MORE.
WHAT DOES HE WANT?
C2’S GIFT GUIDE FOR THE MEN IN YOUR LIFE
Q&A WITH VINCENT SHEHEEN
November 2010
www.celebratehiltonhead.com 5
November 2010
www.celebratehiltonhead.com 7
FEATURES
CONTENTS
November 2010
Photography by Anne
98 P36 Get Hitched on Hilton Head: Behind the Scenes Here come the bride & groom! The curtain is about to rise on the island’s wedding of the year, as more than two dozen community sponsors prepare to make dreams come true for Julie Klein and Dave Battiste.
P40 Q & A with Vincent Sheheen South Carolina’s Democratic candidate for Governor talks about why he is running and what he wants to tackle first, should he be elected.
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4500 Calories!?! C2’s Special Thanksgiving section with recipes from local restaurants, interesting fun facts and tips for being the hostess with the mostest.
Meet the Bachelors A peek at this year’s nominees for CH2’s 2011 Bachelor of the Year! Stay tuned for the Top 10 next month.
Did you know?
Fresh cranberries are ideal for cranberry sauce. Cranberries of the highest quality will always bounce! (If you try this at home, please wash the cranberries before eating.)
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C2’s Gift Guide for HIM What DOES he want anyway? Here are a few suggestions for the men in your life.
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Christmas Concert Warms the Heart The annual “Songs from the Heart” Christmas concert, benefiting The First Presbyterian Day School, will return this year and is sure to bring about that sense of heartwarming wonderment that everyone looks forward to during the holidays.
Wine Talk Four Thanksgiving selections from our resident wine aficionado, Krissy Cantelupe.
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Is Your Fitness Program Constantly Varied? Change. We all fear it and yet it’s rarely as bad as we thought it was going to be. The simple truth is this: If we are to grow, we must change, even if change is something we find terrifying.
Photography by Anne
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P44 The Bob Benedetto Story Benedetto guitars appear on countless recordings, TV and film soundtracks, in videos, books, magazines, concerts, and museums, including the Smithsonian Institution. Last month the CH2 team took a ride to Savannah to watch Bob at his craft.
Little Shop of Horrors Hilton Head Prep students bloom in this exotic production about a man-eating plant.
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>>> ON OUR COVER
P74 Distressed Real Property–Your Options People have higher mortgage payments and less cash to pay the servicing of loan(s) which often exceed the value of the secured property. And they cannot quickly sell. If you are faced with this situation, what are your options?
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EVERYTHING ELSE
>> Business Profiles
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Cookies by Design Whether she’s delivering a fresh-baked sugar cookie arrangement to Hilton Head or mixing up a batch of oatmeal raisin treats for a group of local teachers, or simply greeting a customer for a post-movie snack at her location near the courtyard at Sea Turtle Cinemas, LouAnne Takach takes pride in the ‘Cookie Lady’ tag.
P62 Optical Solutions A visit to Dr Michael Campbell now goes far beyond comprehensive exams to include: a vast array of frames, trained opticians and technicians to assist in fitting glasses and contacts, a total of 14 employees and three associate doctors, an onsite lens-making lab and even a unique association with a Lasik surgery specialty company called the TLC Center.
CONTENTS
Gem Jewelry Twenty-four plaques on the wall is understandable if you’re an 80-year-old tinkerer who’s been doing nothing but lapidary correspondence courses for the last 50 years or so; but Michael Graham is a 40-year-old father of three, who looks all of about 25, who’s been in the business of jewelry and watch-making for less than two decades.
P70 Island Bagel & Sports Addiction What exactly do bikes and bagels have in common? Jim Buser.
In the Dog House
He Says, She Says Where do you go for the holidays?
P106 Captain Woody’s If you happen to be hungry for oysters of the roasted variety, the best place to be on November 6, February 5 and March 5 is Captain Woody’s at Palmetto Bay Marina on Hilton Head Island and in mid-February at their new location, just across from Promenade Park in Bluffton.
P28 Celebrate NOVEMBER A few items you might want to put on your calendar this month.
P31 C2 after Dark Who’s playing where and when, along with trivia nights, and other reasons to stay up past 10 p.m.!
>> Everything Else
P14 Editor’s Note Adventures in puppy training
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P16
Golf 101 Exercising and Golf, Part 2: Neuromuscular Integration Exercises
P108
P18 P20
Discount Card and Discounts! Why in the world would you NOT show your CH2 card to get these fabulous discounts?
P22 Our Town Taste of the Season
>>> ON OUR COVER
Riley modeling the lady bug costume. Riley is a sweet 1 year old that loves his buddy so much they come as a pair.
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(see Chloe on the next page.)
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pg. 80 pg. 108 Article by Courtney Hampson
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Photography By Anne
Palmetto Animal League Mistake # 875
P114
Charity Corner This month’s spotlight is on Progressive Technology’s CharITy Outreach.
Halloween costumes provided by Tail-waggers
PAL’s new home provides hope for adoptable pets
What you need to know about... Renting vs. Owning.
A series of Fortunate Events Your 15 minutes of fame.
s h e l t e r
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P24
Santa Fe Café Tapping the Source in New Mexico
Letters to the Editor Oh Boy!
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November 2010
In the story on page 108 of our October issue, we mistakenly identified Amy Campanini as Amy Moberly. We are so sorry Amy Campanini!
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2
11.2010
From the Editor
Publisher / Editor-in-Chief: maggie washo Art Director: Kelly stroud Art & Production Catherine Davies Director of Sales: morgan Hodsdon Advertising Sales: Ashton Kelley Stan Wade Chuck Boufford Betsy Warner
Contributing Writers: Frank Dunne Jr. Anne Feldman David Gignilliat Courtney Hampson Craig Hysell Keith Kelson melissa Koch Mark Kreuzwieser Mary Frances Lowrey michael Mogil Pete Popovich David tobias Lew Wessel Jean Wharton
Contributing Photographers / Artist: Photography by anne John Brackett Photography Art Direction: Tom Staebler
P.O.Box 22949 Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 843.689.2658 m.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com
Photography by anne
Adventures in Puppy Training The new love of my life is a Bernese mountain dog. Miss Lucy is only 17 weeks old and weighs in at just over 40 pounds. When you have a dog that will grow to weigh more than you, training is very important. As any new parent, I am eager to do everything right during these formative puppy months. I want to be the one on the beach with the dog who sits quietly by my side while any distraction possible walks, trots or gallops by. To get to this point, many things must happen. As with anything, plenty of well-meaning citizens have offered advice (opinions?) that I have tried to heed: Advice: You MUST crate a new puppy. This will assist in the potty-training efforts. Result: Lucy broke her toe trying to get out of her crate in the first week I had her, thereby creating a $500 vet bill for her mom. She is no longer crated, and thus, not yet completely potty-trained. Advice: Take your dog EVERYWHERE for the first year of her life. This will enable her to be properly socialized. Result: Lucy goes to work, the Black Marlin and Captain Woody’s and to her cousin’s house on a regular basis. This was good advice. She gets along with everyone.
Advice: Have many chew toys, rawhide bones and squeaky bears so she won’t chew on your things. Result: Lucy has over $100 worth of toys, and she still prefers my sneaker when she can manage to get hold of it. Advice: Always carry a plastic bag with you on the beach so you are a responsible pet owner. Result: If I carry two bags, Lucy will have to go three times. And she won’t go on the stretch of beach where no one is around. She’ll “go” on some small child’s sand castle in front of a family of eight visiting for the week. I am not discouraged, however. Lucy has made remarkable progress for a four-month-old and is well on her way to being the best behaved Bernese in the neighborhood. The best advice for training a puppy is to have lots of patience. Patience. Patience. Patience.
M. Washo Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief
C2
Letters
To the Editor...
Article by courtney HAmpson
Q&A
“Learning is not a product of scHooLing but tHe LifeLong attempt to acquire it.”
CH2: WHy Are you running for governor?
-aLbert einstein
nikki HAley: i’m an accountant and small businesswoman who saw firsthand how hard it is to make a dollar and how easy it is for government to take it away. i am running for governor because South Carolina needs a leader who is dedicated to creating a competitive business environment in our state. for too long, we have allowed a broken tax system, disjointed infrastructure and sub-par schools to paralyze the competitiveness of South Carolina. we need real tax reform that looks at every single tax and fee to determine the effectiveness of each. we need to eliminate the education bureaucracy that ties up the resources needed in the classroom. we need to prioritize infrastructure and expand South Carolina’s air, land and water transportation capabilities.
LifeLong Learning of HiLton Head isLand
CH2: WHAt is tHe first tHing you’ll do WHen you tAke offiCe?
witH
Nikki Haley C a N d i d at e f o r G o v e r N o r o f S o u t H C a r o l i N a .
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ifelong Learning of Hilton Head Island, Inc. (LLHHI) provides the venue for just that—a learning institute (one of three hundred like it in the country) offering adults the opportunity to continue broadening their horizons and their brain power. According to LLHHI’s community liaison elisabeth Nantz, Life Long Learning of Hilton Head is a community of like-minded men and women who have a broad range of lifetime experiences to share and a desire to learn what others know. Members are passionate about living life to the fullest. “Curiosity and learning never cease,” she said. How it works LLHHI offers peer-organized, peer-led and peer-taught courses on every imaginable topic from Civil War history to Southern gardening, medical ethics to space exploration, and literature to architecture and art. A volunteer curriculum committee (in fact, the organization is completely volunteer run) of some 20 members designs a balanced curriculum of courses, finds qualified instructors from both within and beyond the membership, and publishes a catalogue of the offerings from which members choose. Different courses are presented each term (fall, winter and spring), and there are no prerequisites for enrollment. Generally, classes are scheduled for two hours a week, for a term of four to six weeks. A typical term might offer 20 to 24 courses from which members may select as many or a few that fit their schedule.
tHe cost bound by a commitment to provide affordable, superior learning opportunities to the community, a nominal annual membership fee of $30 gets you in the loop. And, tuition charges between $35-$45, depending on the term, get you in the classroom. LLHHI also collaborates with and provides financial assistance to other non-profit organizations whose constituents may benefit from the educational opportunities offered. tHe experience Nantz says, “We believe the quest for knowledge is not bound by age, but is enhanced through life experiences and the sharing of ideas.” As such, a number of thought-provoking topics are explored. According to Nantz, one of their most popular classes is Current events. this class meets weekly and is chaired by two people of different political persuasions. the discussion is always spirited and lively. Nantz says, “Whatever is happening in the news is fair game for discussion from both sides of the aisle, and you always leave the session feeling that you’ve been given another way to think about things.” this fall, LLHHI will offer a Perspectives on Homosexuality course. this class, led by retired psychiatrist Dr. rick Anderson and Dr. Mike Walsh, executive director of Mental Health America/beaufort & Jasper and assistant professor
nH: audit every cabinet agency in my administration to find inefficiencies that cost taxpayers money. i then want to implement zero-based budgeting to ensure that wasteful programs are much harder to create in the future. we have a serious spending problem in state government and the best way to fix it is to force state government to operate like a business.
CH2: HoW Will you CreAte jobs? nH: Creating jobs starts with reforming the tax system, cutting bureaucratic red tape and developing our infrastructure. we need to review our entire tax structure and propose a simpler, more business-friendly tax system that will benefit the people of this state. we must also cut bureaucratic red tape, because our agencies need to operate from the premise that they exist to serve the people and businesses of South Carolina rather than the other way around. workers’ compensation reform and tort reform are also keys to improving our business climate and creating jobs. we must prioritize our infrastructure by strengthening our ports, looking at additional rail capabilities, expanding our air carriers and properly funding our roads.
at USC School of Medicine, will focus on the historical, social, cultural, and political aspects of homosexuality. the duo will foster open discussion regarding etiology and attempts at “treatment,” the stigma associated with homosexuality, and cultural differences (yes, the U.S. is considered to be behind in our way of thinking when compared to other developed countries). the course will also tackle the gay marriage debate, and participants will be encouraged to ask questions and bring their own experiences to the table through panel discussions. bravo! the bottom line is this: LLHHI is certainly forward-thinking, and their course offerings will open your mind and make you ponder. Need further proof? Also this fall, tune in for the truth about Foreign Aid (ripe for political debate), Women in espionage (just in case that lady who lives next door has always struck you as suspicious), and What is Your Personality (are you really the easy going guy that you think you are?). Interested in learning more? Visit lifelonglearninghhi.org for the full course catalogue and details on how to join. OCtOber 2010
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Dear Maggie, On behalf of our Board of Directors and curriculum committee, I would like to thank you for the outstanding article that just appeared in CH2. It was well written and covered all aspects of our organization. As a non-profit, we appreciate any publicity that can get our name and mission statement out to the public. This enables us to give back to the community each year. You should be proud of your publication. It is excellently produced and provides interesting and timely information. Again, thank you. Sincerely, Judy VanCleave President, Lifelong Learning of HHI
Dear Maggie, How can I ever begin to thank you for publishing the terrific article about our Lifelong Learning of HHI? We were all so delighted with Courtney’s writing and the professional manner from all. Thank you so much for your generosity. I hope you know that I will gladly support you in any way in the future! Sincerely, Elizabeth Nantz
Maggie, The October issue is great! I loved your editorial. We are always our own worst critic and I bet your dance will be great. I look forward to seeing all of you dance. Thanks for the smile this morning, as I read your column and browsed the issue. With warmest regards, Deborah Edmondson
Dear Editor: A very good interview that addresses governing in our state. Daryl McKee
This is blatant advertising for one candidate and not the other. Were you paid to do this? If not, be fair and give the same space to Sheheen. An ad should say it is an ad. Propaganda does not belong in a magazine for the general public. Please rectify this immediately. Barbara Kelly
Is anyone going to reply to the protests about the Republican only articles in your magazine before these three events ( Programs for Exceptional People Gala, Dancing with the Stars Strive to Excel Fundraiser & CH2’s Bachelor of the Year Party) are added to their boycott list on Facebook and in general? Just wondering. If you are not hearing it, then perhaps you should ask. I spend all day in social media in the HHI / Bluffton / Beaufort area and your publication is taking some bad press. D.B.
Maggie I kept quiet when you guys did the not-so-balanced cover piece on Joe Wilson ... and for the time being I’m going to hold what I have to say about the Nikki Haley piece until I find out whether you are 1.) planning to do the same for Vincent Sheheen and 2.) your November issue will be out in enough time to have any impact before November 2. I will tell you that while Democrats are in the minority here, there are still thousands of folks in Southern Beaufort
County who voted Democratic in the last election (you can easily find those numbers on line as they are public record) ... and since Sheheen has been endorsed by the SC Chamber of Commerce, as well as the SC Hospital Association, SC Education Association and the Conservation Voters of SC, I have found dozens of moderate (and even a few conservative) Republicans who have attended his events on HHI and are planning to vote for him. CH2’s Fox News approach to covering politics may backfire as I have received at least a half dozen Facebook messages and another 5 or 6 emails from people who are so angry that they want to start contacting (or boycotting) your advertisers and I assure you that these folks have grassroots organizing skills and are willing to vote with their wallets if they can’t get satisfaction any other way. But again, before I REALLY get on my soapbox to discuss what I (as the former owner and publisher of another total market coverage publication, Hilton Head Monthly) think should be the responsibility of a publication that comes into people’s homes unsolicited, I’d like to hear from you about whether you have any plans to provide a sense of balance to your coverage of the race. There is just way too much at stake in this state right now to cover politics in the same way CH2 covers entertainment. We’re not choosing the Bachelor of the Year here ... this is our future and the future of our businesses and the well-being of our state and our community. Terry Bergeron
Dear CH2, Right before I declared as a candidate for Mayor of Hilton Head Island, I was visited by an individual who announced to me that he, “represented the power brokers of Hilton Head Island.” He said that it is impossible to win an election on Hilton Head Island without
C2
Letters
To the Editor...
the support of the power brokers and that “the power brokers had already picked their boy” and therefore I should stay out of the race! Talk about waving a red flag in front of a bull! I was told that the power brokers control the press and that I would be characterized as a light weight “showman” and not a serious candidate. The irony there is that everyone who watched me on Talk of the Town on WHHI TV for the last eight years knows that I’m not a lightweight. And they didn’t magically develop amnesia and suddenly forget that I started New Leaf Management and Second Nature Landscape and that I created hundreds of jobs for this Island. They didn’t forget that I found the land for The Boys and Girls Club or that I started The Bluffton Farmers Market (with my fellow Rotarian Diane Fornari) and took it and its jobs and its economic engine over the bridge to Bluffton only after the town of Hilton Head turned it down. The next power broker maneuver came when a poll was posted on the
Hilton Head Monthly website last week. I found out about it at 8:00 am on Friday morning. The poll had me at 13%. I immediately connected with hundreds of my supporters with whom I have built up good solid personal and business relationships over the last 26 years here on Hilton Head Island. By the end of the day I was up to 44%! I went online in the evening to see if I could get it to go over 51%, only to discover that the poll had been removed before the published end time. The results have since been buried and I suspect they will never ever see the light of day. The power brokers were not done! This week they sent an email to the supporters of their “boy” directing them to vote in a new poll that was buried somewhere in the back pages of the HH Monthly website. The new poll was then quickly removed before I could even inform my supporters that it was there. I wonder what the results that poll will show and if HH Monthly will publish them!!?? This all reached the tipping point for me on Tuesday evening after the mayoral forum when I met Marc Frey of Hilton Head
Monthly. It’s no secret that Mr. Frey supports one of my opponents. Monthly refused (see attached email) to print my answers to their questionnaire in a nice two page spread with a pretty photo in their magazine like they did for 5 of the other candidates. Mr. Frey actually said to me, “You should be grateful for the coverage that you got!” I know that CH2 and its readers believe in freedom and democracy and fair play. I ask that you embrace that freedom and that you exercise your right as citizens to be fully informed and that you go to my website at edmccullough. com or friend me on facebook and read my answers to the questionnaire before you decide who to vote for on November 2nd. I humbly ask that you join with me in my mission to see to it that, “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth!” Thank you! Ed McCullough
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On a rOad sOmewhere between FlOrence and myrtle beach sits an Old, rundOwn mOtel. a diner-esque sign Flashes its name— “midway”—in blue. article by cOurtney hampsOn phOtOgraphy by anne
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Maggie, One word is all I need... “AMAZING”.....thank you guys so very much! Sincerely, Warren and Midway Blue
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is inextricable from the story of the couple that has been at the helm since its inception: artistic directors Karena Brock-Carlyle and her husband John Carlyle. Karena was named a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre during the Golden Era of that prestigious company and shared the stage at Lincoln Center with such notables as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Rudolf Nureyev, Natalia Makarova, Cynthia Gregory and Carla Fracci. After spending 15 years with the ABT, Karena moved south and became artistic director of the Savannah Ballet. John studied at the acclaimed Harkness School of Ballet and danced professionally with City Center Dance Theatre in Atlanta, the Tampa Ballet and the Savannah Ballet. With a move to Hilton Head in 1985, Karena and John recalled the advice ballet legend George Balanchine
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: CAROLINE SANTORUM, ELLA CUDA, LANE ALLEN AND MACKENZIE OGDEN
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“Spring 1985 may someday be celebrated by social historians as the season in which Hilton Head grew up. Established as a sleepy sunbelt resort dedicated to golf, tennis and retirement living, over the years Hilton Head has made significant strides toward sophistication. Art, literature, theater, music and dance flourish on the island. Now, with the establishment next month of the Hilton Head Dance Theatre, the community takes a giant step toward its inevitable recognition as a major cultural center for the Lowcountry.” These prophetic words were written by Nancy Stephens for an article that appeared in The Island Packet on April 29, 1985. And now, 25 years later, patrons of the arts community will pause to pay tribute to the individuals that started it all and many more who have nurtured it along the way. The story of the Hilton Head Dance Theatre
hilton head dance theatre
Hi Maggie, I loved the HHDT (Hilton Head Dance Theatre) article and photos in the magazine this month! Thank you so much for running it. Our Board really appreciates the coverage and it was just beautiful! Thank you again and good luck dancing! Missy Santorum
Dear Maggie, On behalf of The Hilton Head Dance Theatre, I would like to say “thank you” for the lovely article, photos and interest given to promote our 25th Anniversary. We sincerely appreciate the quality images it projects in supporting our theme “25 Years of Excellence”. Again, thanks to you, Krisztian and the rest of the staff that worked on this project for us. Sincerely, Lea Allen
C2 CHARITY CORNER 10/10
Birdies for the Brave
Hi Maggie, We just wanted to drop you a quick b email to let you know how much we appreciated you running a story on our “Birdies for the Brave” charity golf tournament for the troops. I saw the issue and it looks great. If you need anything from the golf world that you would need assistance on in the future, please do not hesitate to ask! Thanks so much! ON NOVeMber 5, 2010, tHe HerItAGe COLLeCtION ON HILtON HeAD ISLAND WILL be HOStING ItS ANNUAL bIrDIeS FOr tHe brAVe GOLF tOUrNAMeNt At PALMettO HALL PLANtAtION CLUb.
irdies for the brave is a nationwide program launched by the U.S. Department of Defense that generates financial support for our military and their families and communicates that support to members of our Armed Forces, both at home and abroad. Initially started by tour player Phil Mickelson and his wife, the program has grown to include support from the PGA tOUr and other notable PGA tOUr players and partners. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit eight military homefront groups that are part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s America Supports You initiative: Homes for Our troops and Special Operations Warrior Foundation, supported by Phil Mickelson; Wounded Warrior Project, supported by tour players Nick Watney, boo Weekley, Jason Gore & Frank Lickliter II; Operation Homefront, supported by tour player Corey Pavin; Naval Special Warfare Foundation, supported by tour players Jerry Kelly, Frank Lickliter 20
www.celebratehiltonhead.com
Sincerely, Vanessa Castaneda, Tournament Sales Assistant Port Royal Golf Club
II & Vijay Singh; Military Warriors Support Foundation, supported by tour player ted Purdy; Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and United through reading, supported by tOUr player rory Sabbatini. An example of the support received by our Armed Forces through these military homefront groups can be best explained in the story of Army SSG ronell bradley. SSG bradley lost both his legs and suffered severe hand injuries as a result of an IeD blast in baghdad in 2005. He suffered from traumatic brain injury with short term memory loss, spent three months in the hospital and nine months undergoing therapy for his new prosthesis. Homes for Our troops will be building him and his family a specially adapted home later this fall in the Columbia/Carolina Lakes area in South Carolina. this new home will help him live as close to a normal life as possible and will make it easier for SSG bradley to reach his goal of obtaining a PhD in healthcare management and pursuing a career with
the Department of Veterans Affairs. “this assistance will help me be more mobile and independent and will allow me to conduct my daily activities in a way that reinforces independence. I will be able to do things that I usually rely on my family to do for me,” said bradley Come out and support our troops! the Heritage Collection on Hilton Head Island will be hosting this year’s tournament on November 5 on the robert Cupp course at Palmetto Hall Plantation Club. Your $135 single entry fee, or $500 for a foursome, will get you a round of golf with a military hero, tee prizes, lunch and awards reception, giveaways and more!
LUNCH & reGIStrAtION beGIN At 11:30 A.M. WItH A SHOtGUN CereMONY StArt At 12:15 P.M. AN AWArDS CereMONY WILL be HeLD IMMeDIAteLY FOLLOWING tHe tOUrNAMeNt. tO reGISter, PLeASe CONtACt KeN MCNerNeY At (843) 6811510 Or e-MAIL At KMCNerNeY@ HerItAGeGOLFGrOUP.COM.
OCtOber 2010
C2 SERIES OF FORTUNATE EVENTS 11/10
1.Fort Stewart High ranking officers from Ft. Stewart Army base came up to speak at Long Cove Club on September 14th when they received a nice grant from the Long Cove Community. 2. Jade Bistransky and Robert Greco of Hilton Head Island were married at the Bostwick Pavillion in Moss Creek Plantation on June 19, 2010.
3. Debbie Gibbens, RN has been named to the community relations team at Hospice Care of the Lowcountry.
4. Palmetto Animal League was one of five nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive a $20,000 grant through Tom’s of Maine’s annual “50 States for Good” initiative.
6. Leigh Hayward and Kyle Stoudenmire of Charleston, South Carolina, were married in Mount Pleasant, SC on September 5, 2010 in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
5. Progressive Health & Fitness hosted it’s first ever Tactical Strength Challenge to support Memory Matters. The Overall winner of the Men’s Tactical Strength Challenge was Gary Garcia, and the overall winner of the Women’s Tactical Strength Challenge was Jenna Reilley.
8. KPM Flooring’s “Mayers Chair” is up for an award in Interior Design Magazine in the “Seating Residential/ Lounge” category. Congratulations Kathleen!
7. Keith Kline has joined Harbour Health Insurance Solutions. A Hilton Head resident for the past 10 years, Kline is a licensed agent working with businesses and individuals seeking quality healthcare benefits and service.
To be included in our next Series of Fortunate Events, please email Ashton Kelley a PHOTO and A SENTENCE (not a paragraph) at a.kelley@celebratehiltonhead.com. Photos will not be accepted without a sentence. Sentences will not be accepted without a photo. Paragraphs will be edited down to one sentence. Get it? Got it! Good.
Article by Frank Dunne Jr.
C2 CHARITY CORNER
Tony DeMarzo & Tyson Miller
11/10
Progressive Technology CharITy Outreach Photography by Anne
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his company probably needs no introduction. Founded by Tony DeMarzo and Tyson Miller in 2001, Progressive Technology has been constructing and supporting computer networks, websites and office communications systems around Hilton Head Island and Bluffton for almost a decade. If you’re in business and you use computers (duh!), chances are you’ve met these guys. But what they’ve been doing lately to help build our community is new and something you’ll want to know about if you are involved in non-profit or charity work. Just ask Sea Pines Montessori’s head of school, Darcie Patrick: “I can’t say enough about the men and women at Progressive. They’ve made our lives at the school so much better, and I just want to thank them.” Patrick was speaking of improvements to the school’s IT systems that Progressive provided at no charge as part of their CharITy Outreach Program. A longtime member of the local business community, the folks at Progressive recognize that IT services are just as mission-critical to non-profit organizations as they are to for-profit businesses, but affordability can be an issue for the non-profit segment. “We’re just trying to help build a better community,” said Progressive’s project manager Randy Levine. “We started thinking about it at the end of last year. We had been doing a lot of charity work already, and organizations would come to us and say, ‘Hey, can you guys donate something to a charity auction, or can you do this or that?’ We decided that we couldn’t do as good a job as we wanted because everything we did was kind of piecemeal. That was the first thing that started the discussion: How can we do a better job? “So we came up with an idea that would formalize it. The idea was, have the local community tell us what charities they thought were most deserving and needed our expertise. From that we would select.”
So it’s the community at large who actually drive Progressive’s selection by making suggestions for eligible charities via the company’s website and Facebook and Twitter pages. Likewise, Progressive keeps fans and followers apprised of the selection process through the social networks. The current CharITy Outreach beneficiary is Operation R&R, which gives U.S. Military Service men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan a chance to rest and reconnect with their families with a relaxing stay on Hilton Head Island. “We’re giving them a website redesign,” said Levine, “and we’re working on that right now.” To-date, Progressive has assisted three other organizations through CharITy Outreach: The David M. Carmines Memorial Foundation, Sea Pines Montessori, and Camp Leo.
David M. Carmines Memorial Foundation
“They were our first,” said Levine. “We selected them because we wanted an organization that touched the community at a higher level, and they’re heavily involved with the Rec Center.” The Foundation needed a complete website overhaul. What they had prior to Progressive stepping in was at best amateur, according to chairman Andrew Carmines. “In about two weeks, we had a brand new website,” said Carmines. “They got things like the navigation where we needed them to be, and gave us a much more professional appearance.” In addition to the Hilton Head Island Recreation Association, the Foundation supports the American Cancer Society and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Visit davidmcarmines.org
Sea Pines Montessori
Sea Pines Montessori needed more of an internal solution. Lacking the budget to install an optimal IT network
and applications for the school’s entire operation, administrative staff were left with a sub-par working environment. “We always put our money into the children and our budget was spent on smart boards and computers for the classrooms, said Patrick. “Our administration was working without a network, and the classrooms could not communicate with each other.” Progressive installed a new wireless network to get the whole school connected and, as a security measure, put in an enterprise-level filtering system to put some controls on Internet access. The filter prevents students (and staff) from spending time on social media and other—possibly dangerous in the case of the students—places on the Web. “For us it’s all about the safety of the children,” said Patrick. Learn more at spma.com.
Camp Leo
Camp Leo is a Lions Club-run charity that provides a summer camp experience for South Carolina’s visually impaired children. Without a website, the organization lacked the online presence that is so critical to reaching potential donors and eligible campers. The need for such a presence became even more evident when Camp Leo began planning for its first annual fundraising golf tournament to be held last September. “We live in such an Internet-savvy world; you’ve got to have a place where people can go to learn what the organization is all about and find out how to get involved with the tournament,” said Alan Arseneau of Bishop Eye Associates, the tournament’s organizer. Progressive built Camp Leo’s website from the ground up, “and we did it in three weeks,” said Arseneau. “They provide a great business service and a great outreach program for charities.” Visit campleo.net. The criteria to qualify for CharITy Outreach are fairly simple. “You have to be a non-profit charity and local,” said Levine. “We try to keep it open to as many organizations as possible.” Progressive will be taking nominations for its next beneficiary in December and will make its selection in January. After that, one organization will be selected each quarter. Levine stresses, though, if your organization is not selected, it will remain in the nomination pool for possible future selection. To make nominations, visit progressivetechnology.net.
C2 OUR TOWN 11/10
21st
Annual
Taste of the Season A culinary gift to the Lowcountry
Article By Anne Feldman
Chef Mark Gaylord of the Jazz Corner.
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Signe Gardo of Signe’s Heaven Bound Bakery & Café created a festive tribute to that holiday favorite, The Nutcracker, which placed second.
aste of the Season…so much to see, taste and savor; it’s truly a culinary gift to the Lowcountry. Treat yourself to the crème de la crème of the island’s restaurants and sample the best of the best from more than 35 of the area’s top chefs at the 21st Annual Taste of the Season, presented by the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. The sumptuous sampling of gourmet fare will be held Friday, December 3, at the Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa. Showcasing the culinary skills of Lowcountry chefs, this landmark event has long been a holiday favorite, a tradition of excellence and elegance as chefs compete for the honor of “Best Cuisine.” Last season’s win went to Aqua Grille & Lounge’s walnut encrusted sea bass served over sweet potato risotto and finished with a cherry gastrique. A food-lovers’ dream come true, Taste of the Season dishes up culinary fare with phenomenal presentation and on-the-spot preparation. New this year, a special V.I.P. preview party “Conversation with the Chefs” brings attendees in for a pre-showing an hour before doors officially open, to enjoy tantalizing tastings and preview the dazzling array of fabulous cake designs on display along with a wonderful selection of silent auction items. “The opportunity to meet and converse with the chefs is something the crowd really responds to,” said Cathy Havens, Chamber special events manager. “The V.I.P. option offers an intimate approach that showcases the culinary arts in a very special way. And it gives everyone a chance to marvel and admire the stunning cake design showcase!”
Chef Michael Cirafesi of Michael Anthony’s serves up their popular Veal Cheeks with Creamy Polenta.
Sheri Davis of Sheri’s Edible Designs took top honors for Best Cake Design 2009.
If you go What: Taste of the Season When: Friday, December 3 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. V.I.P. Preview Party “Conversation with the Chefs” from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Where: Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa. Tickets for the event are $45. V.I.P. Preview Party tickets are $75. Tickets are available online and at Chamber headquarters. For details, visit hiltonheadchamber.org or call (843) 785-3673. Presenting sponsor is South Carolina Electric and Gas.
Let them eat cake Feast your eyes on this year’s Cake Design Showcase. Showcasing the extraordinary talents of area confectionery artists, these gorgeous creations will compete for the top holiday honor of “Best Cake.” Unbelievable detail, décor and design are the signature of these sophisticated and awe-inspiring cakes—an absolute must see! “Best Cake 2009” went to the splendid towering cascade of giftwrapped packages, complete with sweet trimmings, topped with a snowman, created by Sheri Davis of Sheri’s Edible Designs. Signe Gardo of Signe’s Heaven Bound Bakery & Café created a festive tribute to the holiday favorite, The Nutcracker, that placed second. Gingerbread houses will glisten with gumdrops and white frosting trim in the newest addition to the design showcase. Local schoolchildren will put their best talents to the test in this colorful junior division category. Resort chefs will join in the friendly rivalry, and may the best gingerbread house win!
People’s choice Help choose the winning cake design competition, and vote on your favorite culinary creations for the winning honor of Best Cuisine. This year’s new venue at Hilton Head Island Marriott Resort & Spa will offer attendees wider avenues to stroll as they enjoy award-winning cuisine and sample the best of the best served up with creative inspiration.
Food Network host of “Dinner Impossible,” Chef Robert Irvine of Robert Irvine’s eat! restaurant, chats with a Taste of the Season fan.
Bon appétit! Once again, our area’s top chefs will goodnaturedly compete for bragging rights to “Best Cuisine.” What better way to sample upscale southern favorites, international inspired-entrées and fabulous pairings of the Lowcountry’s incomparable award-winning cuisine. Savor the extraordinary experience of Taste of the Season—the gourmands’ gift to the Lowcountry—not to mention all the goodies available in the silent auction: great gift items, luxurious getaways and weekend adventures await, along with dining opportunities and other fabulous offerings. It’s always a sellout!
2
He Says, She Says
Where do you go for the Holidays?
>>> ONE SUBJECT Two Opinions
Article by Keith Kelson
a man’s point of view
Photography BY ANNE
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he holiday season can present a daunting challenge to the unprepared. I need to have everything planned and mapped out ahead of time. I need to know which relative is deep frying a turkey and who has the best flat screen television for watching football. You know, the really important stuff. A relative serving sweet potato pie is also important, with pumpkin pie being a very close second. My brother in-law has shown me that pumpkin pie during the holidays is a good thing. There’s always a flurry of activity during the holidays, with multiple events taking place at the same time, and it can overwhelm you if you don’t have a solid game plan. This is especially true for couples. Where do you go? Do you spend the holidays with her family or yours? Do you bring your loose fitting competitive eating pants? For a married couple, this one should be a no-brainer. You simply alternate, visiting your relatives one year and hers the next. However, for today’s modern unmarried couple, things are a bit more complex. You have to be extra careful, because couples need to treat any holiday visits to
family members like a celebrity treats red carpet appearances. You can’t be seen at the premiere of Police Academy 55: Mall Cop Madness if you want to remain on the A-List. The same holds true for holiday visits. Most guys would normally insist on having home field advantage. Spending the holidays with your family should be life on Easy Street. You can avoid the crazy relatives, ignore the lazy ones and to keep the ones that just got out of prison for tax evasion away from your stock portfolio. Simple, right? Wrong. You know that being around your relatives during the holidays is a disaster waiting to happen—like inviting Bill Clinton to Rush Limbaugh’s surprise birthday party. Your uncle James is going to have one too many light beers during the game and loudly ask when you’re going to get hitched to that nice girl Tabitha. Unfortunately, your present girlfriend’s name is Claire. While Claire tends to be easy going, she won’t like the fact that your uncle still thinks you should marry Tabby. That’s why I suggest that you let the lady have home field during the holidays. When you’re on your lady’s turf, you’ll
be the guy under the microscope for most of the visit. Now, of course her kinfolk are going to pepper you with questions about when you’re going to tie the knot, and now’s the perfect time to use the “Jedi mind trick” on her family. Pull one of her male relatives aside and ask him if your sweetie would possibly like to raise a family in the jungles of Borneo where there still might be head hunters. Let one of her nosey female relatives know that you’re a really big fan of marriage and that Utah is high on your list of places to relocate. Trust me, after a few hours of talking about head hunters in Borneo and settling down in Utah, her family will pull her aside and warn her that you’re a bad seed. We all know that women love bad boys, and you’ve just gone from being a dull goody two shoes, into a dangerous rogue in 60 seconds flat. Welcome to the big leagues, my friend. Now, all you need is a big slice of pumpkin pie and a glass of champagne to celebrate your victory and impending nuptials. What? You know there’s always a downside to using the Jedi mind trick during the holidays.
Article by Jean Wharton
Where do you go for the Holidays?
a woman’s point of view
Photography BY ANNE
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here are plenty of things I envy about couples. Aside from the obvious, romantic advantages, being part of a couple provides a few more practical aspects. A couple always has someone to spend a Sunday afternoon with; whereas we singles have to make it on our own. Couples have someone who can perform favors, such as picking you up when your car is in the shop, working out at the gym together or stopping by the store on the way to your house for necessities. Couples do countless things together that they surely take for granted. But I don’t envy them, not one little bit, when it comes to deciding where to spend the holidays. My family rocks, especially during the holiday season! My brother is hilarious. My mom is a wonderful cook. Dad is the most generous person I know. My sister and brotherin-law love to laugh and are always up for a game. We have the sweetest dog in all the land. We also have a huge, beautiful kitchen that empties into the living room, and during the holiday season, we eat and drink by a roaring fire. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it? I have been so spoiled, that I’ve never spent a holiday away from them. That’s because people want to come to OUR house. This has always been true. After school, friends would be piled into our kitchen around a plate of baked goods, chatting
with Mom. Naturally, the hospitable nature of the Wharton home carried over to the holidays. We have always welcomed other people at our house for Thanksgiving and Christmas; the more the merrier. You hear horror stories of couples making the decision on where to spend these special times of year. I understand why. I would have a very hard time giving up one part of my family traditions for someone else’s, and I’m sure he would for mine. There are a few reasonable solutions. A well-organized year-to-year plan is an effective way to keep everyone happy. Trade holidays. If I go to his parents’ house for Thanksgiving this year, that means he’s coming to my house for Christmas and vice versa the following year. It is not ideal, since you only get to celebrate the holiday with your family in your house every other year. Compromise, yes, but we’re talking about keeping families and couples together, so compromise is key. Another option is trading both holidays year-to-year, but this seems so much harsher, especially if you don’t live near your family and wait to see them over the holidays each year. Again, compromise. If you have children, use them as the excuse. “Oh, it is so hard to travel with little Johnny this time of year.” Play the worn-out parent card; they will come to you. The easiest thing is to make your home an inviting
and viable option for your family so they will want to join you for the holidays. See paragraph two for details on that: roaring fire, tasty food, good wine, fun board games, funny brother. When you host, you are certainly giving up a lot of the more relaxed features of the holiday season you could experience as a guest. It is a lot of work (or at least it looks like a lot of work. Thanks Mom and Sis). The advantage here is that all of your family can come together—both sides. Food and wine have a wonderful way of doing that. Look into it. You can of course forego your traditional family celebrations and create one of your own. Plan an amazing trip. Throw a neighborhood party. Go camping. Do something that you want to do, and give up feeling that you HAVE to spend time with your families. I say this knowing that I will never be able to do this myself. Again, I refer back to paragraph two. But plenty of people who see their families on a regular basis use the holiday season as their vacation from normal life. By doing so, they don’t have to have the discussion about whose family they will spend the holidays with; they simply take themselves out of the equation. I, for one, will be snuggled up with my family and dog, celebrating the year with a cup of nog. Best wishes to everyone for a peaceful and restful season.
November
2010 Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
4-7
6-7
Little Shop of Horrors November 4, 6 & 7, 7:30pm Hilton Head High School’s VPAC A musical about a man-eating plant. FEED ME SEYMOUR! For tickets - www.hhprep.org.
Celebration of Remembrance November 7, 2010 First Presbyterian Church HHI 4:00PM –in the sanctuary For details, call 843.681.3696 or visit www.fpchhi.org.
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13-14
SCBT Hilton Head Oyster Festival Nov 13 & 14, 1-6pm Shelter Cove Community Park Call 843.681.7273 or islandreccenter.org
For details, email Babbie Guscio @ thestoresc@gmail. com
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November 15-21 Palmetto Bluff For tickets and a listing of all scheduled events, log www.musictoyourmouth.com.
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Lakeview Room to make reservation call Catherine Guscio at 843-836-7463 or visit www.hamp-
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Fall Into Winter: A Harvest of Carols
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Songwriters in the Round Old Fort Pub Gallery
The Governor’s School for the Arts Foundation is proud to host a unique evening to showcase award-winning singer/ songwriters to perform their own music in an intimate setting while sharing the stories behind their hit songs we hear on the radio every day. Call 864.282.1570 or visit www. GSAFoundation.net.
25 y Happ ng i v i ksg Piggly Wiggly Than Turkey Trot
Nov. 25, 7:15-11am Squire Pope Rd. 5K, 10K & Fun Walk. Call the Island Rec Center for more info or to register for the race. 843.681.7273
All Saints Episcopal Church, 3001 Meeting Street, hiltonheadchoralsociety.org
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17 Monthly Lecture Series at Hampton Lake
2010 Music to Your Mouth Festival
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For tickets call 843. 785-SHOW or order online at /www.hhiconcours. com.
Oscar Frazier park 12 pm-4pm
15-21
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Hilton Head Island Concours d’ Elegance & Motoring Festival November 6 & 7 The Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn
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2nd Annual Bark in the Park
Saturday
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Save the Date Hilton Head Heart Ball The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa Saturday, January 22, 2011
Hello, Dolly! Dec. 1-26 Arts Center of Coastal Carolina Romance is in the air for the famous matchmaker Dolly Levi, who spends most of her time finding love for others until she decides it’s time to find a match for herself. Winner of an impressive 11 Tony Awards, Hello, Dolly! is one of the most enduring musical theatre classics ever, enjoying three Broadway revivals and international success. Featuring hits such as the title song, “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” and “Before the Parade Passes By,” Hello, Dolly! is a joy-filled love note to simple times.
Tickets: www.artshhi.com; 843-842-ARTS
27 Christmas Tree Lighting festival 2:30-5:30 p.m., Nov. 27 Arts Center of Coastal Carolina Christmas comes early to the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina with the Christmas Tree Lighting festival, featuring the official Hilton Head Island Christmas tree. The festival features many activities for children, such as face painting, crafts, holiday music, photos with Santa and a performance from the cast of Hello, Dolly!, plus plenty of food for sale The event is free and open to the public. Details: 843-686-3945.
AFTER DARK NOVEMBER 2010
DRINK SPECIALS LADIES NIGHT LIVE MUSIC
!
GAME NIGHT FOOD SPECIALS
MONDAYS
TUESDAYS
Black Marlin Hurrican Bar - Happy Hour (10PM - 2AM) ! Casey’s - Football Fiesta / $3 Margaritas Frankie Bones - $10 Off Any Bottle Of Wine (9PM) The Lodge - Craft Beer Night Old Town Dispensary - Happy Hour (4 - 7PM) The Salty Dog Café - LIVE MUSIC (6 - 10PM) Skillets Café - David Wingo LIVE (6:30 - 9:30PM) Wine Times 4 - $.49 Beers & $3 German Tapas Menu
! 9 Promenade - $5 Manicure, Martini & Massage Antonio’s - 1/2 Off Drinks & Select Appetizers Black Marlin Hurrican Bar - Happy Hour (10PM - 2AM) Frankie Bones - Ladies Night Jocks Bluffton’s Sports Bar & Grille - Ladies Night Kingfisher - Joseph the Magician ! The Lodge - Bell’s Brews & Martini Specials Old Town Dispensary - Happy Hour (4 - 7PM) The Salty Dog Café - LIVE MUSIC Street Meet - Ladies Night ! Wild Wing Café - 2 Fer Tuesday / Team Trivia Wine Times 4 - LIVE Music Wise Guys: Everything Is “Miami Nights” Themed !
WEDNESDAYS
THURSDAYS
9 Promenade - Smooth Jazz with La Junta (7 - 11PM) Black Marlin Hurrican Bar - Happy Hour (10PM - 2AM) Casey’s - $2 Wines All Day (Local’s Day) Frankie Bones - $10 Off Any Bottle of Wine Jocks Bluffton’s Sports Bar & Grille - DJ Melissa Kingfisher - Target The Band The Lodge - Winekeeper Wednesday Mellow Mushroom - Trivia Night ! Old Town Dispensary - Happy Hour (4 - 7PM) The Salty Dog Café - Live Music (6 - 10PM) Wild Wing Café - Rock Idol Karaoke Competition ! Wine Times 4 - FREE Wine Tasting (6 - 8PM) Wise Guys - Ladies Night XO Lounge - Simpson Brothers Live
9 Promenade - Ladies Night ($4 Cocktails) Antonio’s - 1/2 Off Drinks & Select Appetizers Casey’s - Team Trivia ($2 Rum Drinks) Frankie Bones - Flip Night ! Jocks Bluffton’s Sports Bar & Grille - Ladies Night Kingfisher - David Wingo The Lodge - Stone Cold Brewery Special Old Town Dispensary - After Market Thursdays The Salty Dog Café - Live Music (6 - 10PM) Skull Creek Boathouse - Reggae Party (6 - 9PM) ! Wild Wing Café - Live Music / Drink Specials Wine Times 4 - Ladies Night Wise Guys - Food & Bev. Happy Hour (10:30PM) XO Lounge - Simpson Brothers Live
FRIDAYS
SATURDAYS
9 Promenade - LIVE Music ! Casey’s - Karaoke ($2 Well Drinks) Frankie Bones - 1/2 Off Flatbread Pizzas (9 - 11PM) Jocks Bluffton’s Sports Bar & Grille - Karaoke ! Kingfisher - Earl Williams Band The Lodge - Growler Night Old Town Dispensary - Happy Hour (4 - 7PM) One Hot Mama’s - DJ and Dancing The Salty Dog Café - Live Music (6 - 10PM) Wild Wing Café - All Double Drinks Only $1 More Wine Times 4 - $.49 Beers & $3 Mexi-Menu Wise Guys - Food & Bev. Happy Hour (10:30PM) XO Lounge - Live Music
9 Promenade - LIVE Music Casey’s - $2.50 Vodka Drinks Frankie Bones - Flip Night ! Giuseppi’s Bluffton - Karaoke Rocks (10PM - 2AM) ! Jocks Bluffton’s Sports Bar & Grille - All Request Night Mellow Mushroom - Karaoke Night (10PM) ! Old Town Dispensary - Happy Hour (4 - 7PM) One Hot Mama’s - DJ and Dancing The Salty Dog Café - Live Music (6 - 10PM) Skillets Café - David Wingo LIVE Wine Times 4 - LIVE Music & Penny Pizzas Wise Guys - Food & Bev. Happy Hour (10:30PM) XO Lounge - Live Music
SUNDAYS Black Marlin Hurrican Bar - Happy Hour (10PM - 2AM) Casey’s - $2 Bloody Marys Frankie Bones - All Night Happy Hour Jocks Bluffton’s Sports Bar & Grille - Happy Hour (11PM) Kingfisher - Joseph the Magician ! The Lodge - Local Brewery Night Mellow Mushroom - Corn Horn Tournament ! The Salty Dog Café - Live Music (6 - 10PM) Skillets Café - David Wingo LIVE Wise Guys - Food & Bev. Happy Hour (10:30PM)
C2
WANTS TO KNOW
WHERE YOU GO
OUT
c.davies@celebratehiltonhead.com
Golf Tips From a Pro
Pete Popovich, Golf Performance Academy
This exercise gets the major muscle groups to work together. While kneeling, assume a prayer position with your hands, and place your forearms on a ball. While maintaining postural alignment (use a dowel rod if necessary), begin to roll forward from the shoulder and hip joints simultaneously. Roll out as far as you can while still maintaining spinal alignment. When you feel the curves in your back increasing, you are losing spinal alignment. Stop just short of this point. Take three seconds to roll out to your farthest point, hold for three seconds and take three seconds to roll back to the starting position. Do 8-10 reps and up to three sets with 1 minute of rest between sets.
Photography by Anne
Exercising and Golf Part 2
Neuromuscular Integration Exercises
Horse Stance-Alphabet This is very similar to the Horse Stance-
In last month’s article, we discussed neuromuscular isolation. Now that you have spent four weeks re-establishing communication between your nervous system and muscles, you are ready to progress to the next step of golf core training, which is neuromuscular integration. Neuromuscular integration exercises are a bit more complex than neuromuscular isolation exercises. The isolation exercises allowed you to have a base movement skill from which your brain could draw information as you progressed, allowing you to have better posture and a better swing. While performing neuromuscular integration exercises, you will have to stabilize and move parts of your body at the same time. These exercises should also be performed for a minimum of four weeks to allow your brain and muscles enough time to learn the process. Once again, there are three programs to follow, depending upon how much time you can devote to your workouts: Program 1. If you have only a few minutes a day, perform one of the following exercises each day of the week. Program 2. Perform two of these exercises three days a week with a day of rest in between; i.e. Monday/Wednesday/Friday. Program 3. If you have the time, do three of these exercises on days one &
three and the three remaining exercises on days two & four. Supine Hip Extension-Feet on Ball Lie on your back and place your feet on the ball with your arms to your sides and palms facing up. Raise your hips into the air, to a count of three, until your ankles, knees and hips are all in alignment. Hold this position for three seconds then lower, to a count of three, to the starting position. Do 8-10 reps and up to three sets with one minute of rest between sets. Forward Ball Roll
Horizontal with one exception. With your extended leg, you will draw letters of the alphabet. The letters should be four to six inches high, progressing to eight to ten inches in height. *Important •The spine should stay in alignment the entire time. No head dropping or looking up. •The elbow of the support arm should point backwards NOT to the side. •The raised arm stays at 45 degrees. •The low back stays steady. Movement in the leg should come from the hip. • The entire leg should move together. •Suck your bellybutton in toward your spine during the exercise Do the entire alphabet with each leg.
ď ? When you can do this, add 1 pound to each wrist and 3 pounds to each ankle. Prone Bridge Hold a ball between your shins while in a pushup position and keeping your body in perfect alignment. Lift one hand off the ground, just for one second while keeping the body aligned. When you can do this 10 times on each side, begin raising the arm forward and alternating hands as you progress. NOTE: This can be a difficult exercise, so take your time with your progression. Frontal Plane Static Lean
Anchor your feet against a wall and place the apex of the ball approximately belt high. Keep your arms at your sides and hold yourself at a 45-degree angle to the ground for as long as possible. If you can hold this position for three minutes, you can hold your arms across your chest and eventually over your head. Whatever length of time you can hold this position, do it two times on each side. Bent-Over Row
Assume an athletic ready position with knees slightly flexed, rear end out and arms hanging down until your hands can rest on your knees. This puts your upper body at approximately a 45- to 60-degree angle. Hold light to medium weight dumbbells in each hand; lift with your elbows toward the sky without shrugging the shoulders. Do 10-12 reps and work up to three sets. ď‚?
By doing the exercises we have talked about the past two months you should see, and feel yourself in a better posture allowing you to swing the golf club better. If you have any questions about these exercises and would like to learn more about exercise and golf, contact the Golf Performance AcademyHilton Head at (843) 338-6737, e-mail pete@golfacademyhiltonhead.com, or find us on Facebook at Golf Performance Academy-Hilton Head.
Here Come the Bride and Groom! The curtain is about to rise on the island’s wedding of the year, as more than two dozen community sponsors prepare to make dreams come true for Julie Klein and Dave Battiste. Months of careful planning and ongoing dialogue with the deserving Pittsburgh couple have led to a destination wedding weekend packed with fun and festivities and hopefully plenty of signature Hilton Head sunsets!
Sponsor Showcase
Mark Staff Photography
Our community sponsors feature a wide range of businesses and services, yet all are united in their contributions to Get Hitched on Hilton Head, gifts that they hope will keep on giving back in the year ahead as destination weddings continue to multiply at one of the Southeast’s leading resort venues.
British born Mark Staff and his photographer wife Lisa are internationally known and respected for shooting exceptional photography. Making Hilton Head home for the last seven years (after moving from Toronto) was a lifestyle decision based on the small town beauty of this island and keeping their family a priority in a community environment. This dynamic duo continues to set new trends and raise the bar of wedding photography. “Shooting lifestyle images for big brand companies, fashion in exotic locations or upscale weddings around the globe gives us opportunities to see many amazing places. Yet it is always refreshing to fly back to this beautiful little island we call home.” Staff said. “There are amazing locations for weddings in the U.S., but Hilton Head still ranks in the top ten. The Get Hitched project is a brilliant idea, and I became involved as part of a collective effort of talented professionals to promote our island as a top wedding venue,” he added. MarkStaffPhotography.com/843.689.5270
Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, Sea Pines Resort, Celebrations Catering & Events, The Main Street Inn & Spa and ResortQuest The centerpiece of the wedding weekend is a collective effort on behalf of the island’s leaders in hospitality. The Westin, Sea Pines Resort and The Lowrey Group’s Celebrations Catering & Events are joining hands and hearts to welcome Julie and Dave’s Pittsburgh family and friends with a true taste of Hilton Head, from rehearsal dinner delights to a Harbour Town sunset wedding and lavish reception along the shores of the Intracoastal at Windows on the Waterway. Two more hospitality partners, The Main Street Inn and Spa and ResortQuest will provide deluxe accommodations for guests as well as a Farewell Brunch at the Main Street Inn and Spa. Ken Nason, sales and marketing director for the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa shares a vision that Get Hitched sponsors embrace. “Being involved in the Get Hitched on Hilton Head experience has generated a tremendous amount of exposure for our destination and allowed the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa to be showcased as a premier wedding resort,” Nason said. “This experience also helped fulfill a wish for a very wonderful couple who will share their once-ina-lifetime experience throughout their lives; we anticipate that they and their guests will continue to return to Hilton Head Island in the future. We are so delighted to have been a part of this remarkable experience.” WestinHiltonHead.com/843.681.4000 WeCelebrateYou.com/843.689.7526 SeaPines.com/866.561.8802 MainStreetInn.com/843.681.3001 ResortQuest.com/843.842.3006
Photography By Anne When asked to support Get Hitched on Hilton Head, photographer Anne Caufman rolled up her sleeves and then some. She was on location to photograph the models at the Get Hitched Launch Party and, soon after, offered one of the weekend’s most innovative gifts. Photography By Anne will host Julie’s bachelorette party at Anne’s studio on the Thursday before the wedding. This party will be no conventional gig. Along with cocktails and a full appetizer spread, the bridesmaids will model for the their own ’50s-style pin-up photo shoot, coordinated by Anne, Salon 5200 and Caroline Noble of Madhouse Vintage (Bluffton). A pioneer on the new trends frontier, Photography By Anne has an impressive client portfolio that grows daily. “We’re thrilled to be a part of Get Hitched on Hilton Head Island,” said Caufman. “It’s so important for local businesses to give back to the community and often. By working together, we are supporting many different industries on the island—all striving for the same result: a first class event for Julie and Dave!” PhotographyByAnne.com/843.338.6391
GET HITCHED ON HILTON HEAD WEDDING WEEKEND SCHEDULE Thursday and Friday, November 11-12 Wedding Guest Check-In Main Street Inn & Spa, Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa and ResortQuest Ocean Front Home Thursday, November 11 Bachelorette Party 4-8 p.m. at the Photography By Anne Studio Friday, November 12 Groomsmen’s Golf 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Crescent Pointe Golf Club Mobile Maidens’ Massage 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Faces Day Spa Cabana on location at ResortQuest Bridal Party Home Pre-Rehearsal Dinner Pampering 1-4 p.m. at All About Me Day Spa and on location at ResortQuest Home by Style It On-location Wedding Rehearsal 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. 18th Lawn at Harbour Town Golf Links Wedding Rehearsal Dinner 6-8 p.m. at Oceans Restaurant Welcome Dessert Reception 8-10 p.m. in the Barony Room The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa Saturday, November 13 Pre-Wedding Primping 9 a.m.-1 pm at All About Me Day Spa For Men Only Massage 9 a.m.-noon at The Art of Massage Wedding Ceremony 3:30 p.m. on the 18th Green Lawn at Harbour Town Golf Links Wedding Reception 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Windows on the Waterway Sunday, November 14 Farewell Brunch 9-11 a.m. drop-in The Main Street Inn and Spa
Sponsor Photos (from left to right) Photography by Anne, Main Street inN and Spa, Asian Bistro, faces day Spa, Mark Staff Photography, Celebrations catering and Events, Westin Hilton Head Island Resort, and Sea Pines Resort.
Faces DaySpa Patricia Owen is no stranger to embracing VIP guests with savvy and superior service, along with a staff who are always two steps ahead of the next wish. At Faces DaySpa, the relaxation specialists will slather you with emollients, massage away stress and even send you home with a brand new makeover. Whether guests set aside a full day or just squeeze in a 15minute chair massage, a visit to FACES is like a vacation within a vacation, as Julie’s bridesmaids will discover when they indulge in pre-wedding massages via Faces mobile Cabana. Yet a another unique service provided by Owen’s award-winning and nationally acclaimed day spa, the Cabana will arrive at the bridal party’s resort home complete with furniture, spa supplies, seasoned staff and soothing music! “It is a special treat to know that this lovely couple has always had a dream to begin their married life here on Hilton Head Island, our home for the past 27 years,” Owen said. “We are so excited to be a part of this wonderful event and to be able to share with the world all that Hilton Head Island has to offer.” FacesDaySpa.com/843.785.3075
Christi’s Bridal & Formal Wear Christi Franklin, owner of Christi’s Bridal & Formal Wear, will donate stunning strapless navy blue Bill Levkoff bridesmaid dresses for bride Julie Klein’s attendants to wear at this
month’s wedding. Her business has grown steadily over the past 13 years and includes the storefront in charming Dawsonville, Georgia, as well as administrative staff and a dozen satellite wedding planners. “I wanted my brides to have a one-stop bridal salon where they and their families could have a positive, personal experience,” Franklin explained. Brides with budgets of well over $50K now frequent her store and she travels all over the country to carefully plan the nuptials of clients. “My brides are like my family. I take the time to really get to know them,” she said. Julie and Dave are no exception! ChristisBridal.com/706.265.8500
Asian Bistro
A new addition to the Get Hitched sponsor line-up, Asian Bistro has promised a tantalizing spread of Japanese and Chinese delectables for the bachelorette party at the Photography By Anne studio. As signature caterer for the event, Asian Bistro hopes to spread the word about the opening of their exciting alternative to the island’s popular sushi restaurants. The new restaurant features an elaborate menu and a sleek, contemporary bar. Owner Wei Zhu said, “We hope to provide the right complement to an evening of fun for the Get Hitched bridesmaids and friends. We’re glad to give everyone the opportunity to try our menu and hope they’ll join us for a new experience.” 843.686.9888
Nash Gallery A Shelter Cove treasure trove of North American art, Nash Gallery stepped forward with a custom-designed wedding gift for Julie and Dave. Owner Lynn Alexander explained, “We feature the handcrafted works of over 400 North American craftsmen. Each and every artist’s distinctive style makes browsing through our gallery memorable. We wanted to share a memory from our shop on an occasion that will linger with bride, groom and guests for years to come. Congratulations on getting hitched!” NashGallery.com/843.785.6424
Ben Arnold Spirits, “Mirassou” Wines A longtime partnership with many of the sponsors of Get Hitched led Ben Arnold Spirits to contribute to the wish-come-true wedding on a number of levels. Julie, Dave and their guests will sip the exciting new “Mirassou” brand of wine at the rehearsal dinner and reception, among other celebrations. Regional manager Michael Bragg seized the moment when he first learned of the community effort with this thought in mind: “To me, the main benefit of the partnership is the brand awareness that Mirassou receives,” he said. “It is an opportunity to introduce a brand that we feel is the perfect wedding wine...at the perfect wedding destination—Hilton Head Island.” BenArnold-Sunbelt.com/888.262.9787
Q&A
with
Vincent Sheheen Democratic Candidate for Governor of South Carolina
CH2: Why are you running for governor? Vincent Sheheen: I am running because we need a governor we can trust. South Carolinians want something different from the last eight years. They want a governor who’ll bring people together to solve the problems that our state faces like unemployment and improvement of public education. CH2: What is the first thing you’ll do when you take office? VS: The most important issue for me will be jobs and the economy. As governor, I will focus every single day on actively recruiting new business and vigorously supporting existing businesses so that our citizens have good paying jobs. Another issue critical to our future is trust in our leaders. After eight years of embarrassing scandal, our next governor has to help restore South Carolina’s reputation around our nation. We have learned that Nikki Haley has not been truthful on transparency, on her business record, and she has not lived up to basic civic obligations like paying taxes. After the last eight years, South Carolinians want a governor they can trust.
Q&A
Vincent Sheheen
CH2: How will you make state government more accountable and better serve the needs of the people of South Carolina? VS: I have fought for governmental restructuring and reform my whole career, and I think it is vital that we empower the governor’s office to have direct lines of accountability over agencies to hold state government accountable. We need a department of administration under the governor that removes all administrative functions from the Budget and Control Board. I would require every agency to submit a yearly “programmatic budget” to justify each department’s respective programs so we could fund what is working and weed out the programs that waste tax dollars. I believe we should conduct regular reviews of each state agency so that the legislature can ensure they are meeting their obligations. We should eliminate the numerous duplicative accounting and human resource departments across state government and consolidate these departments to provide the services in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. CH2: What will you do to improve South Carolina’s public schools? VS: As the son of an elementary school teacher, a
product of public schools, and the parent of three children in public schools, I know the challenges public education faces, because I have lived them. First, we need to establish equitable funding so the quality of education children receive is not determined by where they grow up. Over the last decade, state government has forced our dedicated teachers to obsess about standardized testing instead of allowing them to teach. To attract and retain the best and brightest in our classrooms, I will work to raise teacher salaries. I also know firsthand that our kids learn better in smaller classes. I am committed to lowering class sizes so that all South Carolina children can receive the attention they need. Finally, I am proud to have helped lead the effort to block an out-of-state funded voucher program, which would have sucked desperately-needed funds out of our public schools, and I will continue to do so as governor. CH2: Where do you think you are in the campaign right now? VS: We are right where we want to be at this point. What has become clear is that our campaign has the momentum in the race. The more voters learn about both candidates, the more they agree with my vision for South Carolina.
B B B Benedetto Guitars
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ucked into a non-descript warehouse, on the south side of Savannah, sits Benedetto Guitars. Wood dust, the scent of varnish, and the strains of string guitar waft into the air. Artisans work diligently on the next masterpiece. And Benedetto president Howard Paul is just wrapping up a more than two-hour tour (and a phenomenal education on the history of the jazz guitar) when he nonchalantly quips, “Hey Bob, we’re coming through.”
Article by Courtney Hampson Photography by Anne
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Bob Benedetto as he slowly sculpted a small body acoustic archtop from a piece of Sitka spruce, salvaged from a salt water bay where a mollusk had his way with the wood, creating a stunning gift from nature.
The process of crafting a Benedetto guitar is long, and tedious, and requires the skilled hands of masters. The precision and personal attention to each instrument is what makes each Benedetto guitar special.
After a collective gasp and sideways glances among the C2 team, we realized that we were standing in the same room as master luthier Bob Benedetto—the legend to whom Paul had been referring for hours. Admittedly, I didn’t ask the question, “Is Bob here?” I wrongly assumed he wouldn’t be toiling in the factory with the rest of his team. But there he was, head tucked, hands in motion, as he slowly sculpted a small body acoustic archtop from a piece of Sitka spruce, salvaged from a salt water bay where a mollusk had his way with the wood, creating a stunning gift from nature. But the story begins long before that. Decades before, in fact. Born into a family of artists, cabinet makers and musicians (his grandfather made the legs on Steinway pianos), Benedetto made his first archtop guitar
in 1968, with tools passed down from his grandfather and others that he made himself. His reputation grew as he crafted guitars for noted players Bucky Pizzarelli, Chuck Wayne, Joe Diorio and Cal Collins. Later, he added Johnny Smith, Jack Wilkins, Ron Eschete, Martin Taylor, Howard Alden, John Pizzarelli, Andy Summers, Jimmy Bruno and Kenny Burrell to the list of “The Benedetto Players.” Pictures of all of them line the walls of the Savannah factory, many with a handwritten note documenting the day and place the moment was captured. The photographic history of Benedetto has been captured over decades by Bob’s wife Cindy, a photographer. (They met at a wedding, she the photographer and Bob in the band.) As his name grew, so did the demand. From 1999-2006, Benedetto had a licensing agreement with Fender Musical
Instruments to produce his models in a small, controlled manufacturing environment. But, for a man who nurtures a love affair with his craft, Benedetto was anxious to be back on his own. In 2006, he joined forces with Howard Paul to take the Benedetto guitar brand worldwide. The two have been making music and some rather stunning works of art ever since. The process of crafting a Benedetto guitar is long, and tedious, and requires the skilled hands of masters. The precision and personal attention to each instrument is what makes each Benedetto guitar special. The perfect piece of wood is selected from the 103 degree “wood room,” where Benedetto stores unique finds from all over the world (and where we spent 10 minutes sweating along with the story). Once the piece of wood is selected, it is carved diligently by hand
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Benedetto president Howard Paul
Don’t be mistaken—even though Benedetto receives worldwide acclaim, Bob personally signs and packs every instrument. Nothing leaves the factory without his approval.
to create the top and back of this hollowbodied instrument. Every tree is different hence, every Benedetto guitar is unique. Master finisher Matt Eady hand sands and applies the color stain to each perfectly crafted body, in painstaking, repetitious manner. Such care is taken that only one instrument a day gets Eady’s attention. Master luthier Damon Mailand works on the final elements, adding the strings and finger plate, which “floats” magically above the body. Don’t be mistaken—even though Benedetto receives worldwide acclaim, Bob personally signs and packs every instrument. Nothing leaves the factory without his approval. That is probably why Bob Benedetto is acknowledged as today’s foremost maker of archtop guitars. Over a prolific four-decade career, he has personally handcrafted nearly 800 instruments, including 500 archtops. Today, Benedetto guitars appear on countless recordings, TV and film soundtracks, in videos, books, magazines, concerts, and museums, including the Smithsonian Institution. “I can think of no two people in the history of lutherie who have done more to increase appreciation
for the archtop guitar than Bob and Cindy Benedetto,” said Randall Kremer, the Smithsonian’s director of public affairs. While the artists are at work, Paul oversees the day-to-day operations and handles 100 percent of sales for the company. While describing his crazy schedule, his phone rang and he rolled his eyes with an exaggerated smirk. “I’m also the secretary,” he chuckled as he covered the receiver with his hand. Paul is a busy man and a talented jazz musician in his own right. When we sat down, he had just played a dozen gigs, in 10 days, while also moonlighting as one of the chief volunteers responsible for organizing the Savannah Jazz Festival. This year’s festival poster features a portrait of him. And as the festival had just wrapped up its week-long schedule of performances, Paul looked exhausted, yet proud. No rest for the weary, but at Benedetto, Paul is able to combine all of his loves since he admittedly has a hard time saying no. Paul has always been surrounded by music. He started playing guitar at age four, jazz guitar at 10, and was playing professionally by the time he became a teenager. At 21, he was teaching guitar at
the college level. Living in Atlantic City, NJ, there were plenty of gigs available for Paul, but he soon learned that the bar scene— “booze, drugs, and loose women,”—was a bad environment. So he went to college, graduated from the University of North Carolina and was soon back in Atlantic City. Again with the booze, the drugs, and those darn women. So, his next escape was the Army, where he spent 10 years as a logistics officer. After the Army, Paul spent 10 years as a logistics executive for Chatham Steel. But, he “gigged” the whole time. “I never stopped playing,” he said. Finally, in 1996, he was ready for his first Benedetto guitar. With a three-and-a halfyear wait on his hands (as if you needed anymore proof that these are truly custom works of art), Paul had plenty of time to become friends with Bob Benedetto. Their friendship grew, and a decade later their partnership was sealed. Now, four years into the journey, the duet crosses paths each day in the Savannah factory, where a tireless crew works to ensure that the artistry of jazz is as present in the instrument as it is the musician.
C2 T hanksgiving 2010
Thanksgiving Fun Facts & Recipes Did You Know? Benjamin Franklin thought the turkey was better than the eagle as a symbol for our country. He had this to say in a letter to his daughter. “For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labor of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him. “With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case, but like those among Men who live by Sharping & Robbing, he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides, he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country. “I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth, the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America. He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.” So be thankful you aren’t eating eagle on Thanksgiving.
4,500 calories The average person consumes 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day. This is about 3,000 more than you need per day.
Benjamin Franklin
Smoke-Fried Turkey
1 10-12 pound Turkey (any bigger will alter cooking times)
2 cups BBQ Blend Seasoning (or your own favorite BBQ rub)
½ cup NC vinegar BBQ sauce 1 pound. hickory chips 1 can of beer Smoker/Grill 3 gallons peanut oil Turkey fryer
To lose that extra 3,000 calories the day after Thanksgiving you could: Jog for 5 hours. A. Swim for 11.5 hours. B. Walk (at 4 mph) for 8 hours. C. D. Sit on the couch, watch football, eat leftovers and worry about it when you are hung-over on January 1st.
Courtesy of Orchid Paulmeier - One Hot Mama’s Prepping turkey should be done the night before or at least 6-8 hours ahead of time. Remove giblets and neckbone from cavities of turkey; rinse and set aside for gravy/ stuffing. Rinse the whole bird, including body and neck cavities with cool water. Gently rub 1 cup of seasonings underneath the skin of the breasts, legs and thighs; try not to rip the skin. Combine 1/2 cup of seasoning & 1/4 cup NC vinegar and rub the inside of the turkey; rub the remaining seasoning & vinegar BBQ on the outside of the bird. Wrap with plastic wrap and rest for at least 6-8 hours. Soak your hickory chips in beer. Heat your grill to 225 degrees; make a foil tray for your wood chips and place in smoker. Turn down your center grill/or rearrange coals to provide indirect heat to your turkey. This is a low & slow process. Make a foil tray to rest the turkey on and place in the center of grill, breast side down and START SMOKING! It is important to keep you rtemperature steady at 225 degrees. After 1.5 hours, turn the bird over and cook for another 1.5 hours. In the last 1/2 hr of smoking, heat peanut oil to 325 degrees. Once the 3 hours of smoking is complete, you will then carefully drop the turkey in for approx 20-25 minutes. To ensure a juicy turkey, cook until the internal temperature is 160 degrees, then remove; while resting, it should reach the USDA suggested internal temp of 165. Insert thermometer in the deepest part of thigh. Let rest 15-20 minutes before slicing. MMMMM—ENJOY!
C2 T hanksgiving 2010
Fun and Quirky Wines for Thanksgiving
By Krissy Cantelupe
Each year since the first publication of CH2/CB2, I have written about what to drink with your Thanksgiving feast. Usually I recommend Gewürztraminer, which I still do, and Pinot Noir, which also pairs fabulously with turkey, duck or quail. But this year, I wanted to showcase some fun and “different” wines that work great not only with Thanksgiving, but other great fall feasts.
Bubbles and sparkles: LaMarca Prosecco Why not sparkling, and why not Prosecco? Instead of traditional Champagne, which may cost much more, choose an Italian Prosecco. LaMarca Prosecco is relatively new, and it does not disappoint. The flavors are fresh and clean, with ripe citrus and lemon, green apple, and a finish of grapefruit, minerality and a hint of toast. The wine is made in the Treviso area of Northern Italy and from 100 percent prosecco grapes, giving full-textured and persistent bubbles—fantastic for Thanksgiving Day and all your fall feasts.
Not just for a springtime picnic: Goats do Roam Rosé
Beyond Halloween: The Spanish Demon Tempranillo
Que? Syrah? Yes: Matchbook Syrah
This wine is a delight from South Africa with the quirky name to go with it. The structure is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Gamay Noir, and Mourvedre. The color is a bright, cheerful pink, and the nose has notes of red fruit and berries. The flavors are fresh and vibrant, slightly sweet and fruit-driven, with all the berry flavor you can imagine and a complex, lingering finish. Not only is this a match for your fall feasts, it can stand up to the cranberry sauce and a harvest fruit and nut salad.
Who says you can’t serve something sassy with your Holiday feast? Even though Halloween has passed us by, The Spanish Demon lives on. The grapes for this little Tempranillo are from the very best growing region in the Rioja area of north-central Spain. And it is 100 percent Tempranillo with no other grapes blended. The flavors are rich and intense with crisp black fruits and lots of style, even a dash of white pepper to spice things up. This is a fantastic wine for a brand “new” red drinker, or for those looking for fewer tannins. But the best part is the label…
Looking at a bottle of Matchbook Syrah (from Dunnigan Hills, California) reminds you to keep an eye on whatever is in the oven. The label looks as if someone playing with matches started burning it and then was yelled at to put it out. This is attributed to the winemaker and his brother who did play with matches, especially rockets, constantly seeing the fire trucks appear on their property. The wine is divine and speaks for itself. The fresh blueberry and blackberry flavors are complemented by chocolate and vanilla spice. The wine is perfect for anything grilled, braised, or deep-fried in a turkey fryer.
Pino Gelato Dessert If you manage to cook your way through the recipes in this section, we suggest “picking up” dessert. For something a little different, try this vanilla bean gelato cake with Reese’s and cream on the inside. You can find it at Pino Gelato in the Village at Wexford. For something everyone expects, try pumpkin pie - recipe on the back of any canned pumpkin - or call Keith Kelson for his brothin-in-law’s recipe! (He says pg. 24)
C2 Thanksgiving Fun fact & Recipes
C2 T hanksgiving 2010
Gratin of Potatoes Courtesy of Chef Keith Josefiak at the Old Fort Pub
How to Host Thanksgiving Dinner for Foodies By Mary Frances Lowrey
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t the last second I was asked to pen a story about Thanksgiving. I would like to think I was asked because I am a super hostess with culinary skills that make my guests pine for an invite to enjoy a dinner cooked by me. The truth is I am the daughter-in-law of the lady who has something to do with this publication; someone was sick and missed their deadline, and I was asked to help out. How do you say no to your mother-in-law? (Very gently!) Yet, I have hosted my share of Thanksgiving feasts and no one became ill. To be quite honest, I have cooked Thanksgiving for family and friends for 11 out of 13 years of marriage. However, cooking Thanksgiving dinner is not the normal cooking for guests, because there is the added pressure of including traditions and memories and recipes of those who have come before you—even people you have never met, such as Great Grandma who always cooked the perfect pumpkin pie. My initial undertaking of the holiday feast would make even the great hostesses of the South shudder, because I not only cooked for the precious only child of my mother-in-law, but I also cooked for Foodies! You know—people who buy ingredients that the rest of us have never even heard of and people who dine in restaurants where the food is rated and written about in newspapers and cuisine magazines. Well, those people would be my in-laws. I should give a quick back story. I have 10 siblings, and I was at the end of the birth order. So what? That means I was never old enough to cook (or drive, but that is something else). I was only old enough to set the tables, yet still never old enough to sit at the grown-up table at Thanksgiving. Then, by some cruel joke, I married a great guy with great parents whom I would consider FOODIES. But an even crueler joke was played on me because these foodies also own some of the best restaurants in the Lowcountry, and my sweet husband refused to eat a holiday meal in a restaurant. He said he wanted holiday meals where his parents could relax and not be working. That is how I cooked my first Thanksgiving dinner for very experienced diners. So, this is how you cook Thanksgiving for foodies:
Be young and dumb
My first holiday feast was basic at best. A newlywed, I was more excited about using my fine china and sterling silverware than I was about the food itself. The turkey was dry and the stuffing came from a bag. The potatoes were soupy and the green beans were accidentally left in the oven. But the table looked nice. (Continued on next page)
C2 Thanksgiving Fun fact & Recipes
2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and rinsed ¾ cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon salt ¾ teaspoon freshly ground white pepper Pinch to 1 teaspoon nutmeg 2 tablespoons unsalted butter ½ cup snipped fresh chives ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 350 F. Shred, rinse and drain the potatoes. Combine the potatoes, cream, salt, pepper, chives and nutmeg in a small bowl. Add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese into potato mixture and mix well. Rub an 8 x 8 x 2 inch baking dish with the butter. Place ingredients in baking dish and sprinkle remaining cheese
on
top.
Cover
with
aluminum foil, dull side out, and bake on the lower rack for 40 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.
C2 T hanksgiving 2010
CQ’s Green Bean Casserole By Chef Eric Sayers 8 Servings
How to Host Thanksgiving Dinner for Foodies (Continued)
Welcome guests with alcohol
If you can’t bake it then fake it
When your guests arrive, welcome them with a drink. I learned this tip from reading the back of InStyle magazine where they feature a celebrity hosting an at-home event; they always greet their guests with alcohol. At first you might think this is true hospitality, but the truth is that we like our guests mellow and their taste buds deadened.
Did you know that Great Grandma never made her own pumpkin pie? Okay, maybe she did, but that should not stop you from presenting a fabulous purchased pie as your own. The trick is to transfer it to a serving dish of your own and add a few thumbprints to make it look like you handmade it. When you get a compliment about how good it is just say, “Thank you.”
Nothing is more appealing than a good attitude. I may not have known how to cook, but I was always happy to surround myself with family and friends. As I Be thankful have aged and matured and realized that cooking for on Thanksothers is fun, I have also learned that it is a privilege. giving Every year life changes, and some years our loved ones are gone. We celebrate their lives by gathering in a cramped kitchen, cooking side-by-side and giving thanks together over a well-dressed table. It really doesn’t matter if the food has fancy ingredients, because in the end, foodies really care about the company, and that is what makes it taste good! I will sign off with my stale toast that I say every year, “May we all be blessed to have friends that we love like family and family that we love like friends.” Happy Thanksgiving!
Did You Know? 40 Million
More than 40 million green bean casseroles are served on Thanksgiving.
C2 Thanksgiving Fun fact & Recipes
For the green beans: 1 pound fresh green beans, blanched and thinly cut on a bias 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced 1 medium onion, small diced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 small shallot, minced ¼ cup butter 3 Tbsp flour 1 pint vegetable stock ½ cup heavy cream ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese 1 tsp coarse salt ½ tsp freshly ground pepper ¼ tsp ground nutmeg Heat butter on medium heat in large sauce pan. Add onions, garlic and shallots; cook 3 minutes without browning, add mushrooms and cook for 6 minutes. Add flour and mix; cook for 3 minutes. Add vegetable stock and whisk constantly until thickened; add cream and beans. Stir to coat, season with salt pepper, nutmeg and parmesan. Place in a greased casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes; remove from oven, top with onion topping (recipe to follow) and bake for another 5 minutes or until nicely browned. Enjoy. For the topping: 1 Vidalia or sweet onion, thinly sliced into rings 3 large shallots, thinly sliced into rings 1 small red onion, thinly sliced into rings ½ cup flour ¼ cup cornstarch 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying) ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese Salt and pepper Heat oil to 300 degrees in heavy pot. Combine cornstarch and flour; toss all onions and shallots to coat and shake off excess. Working in batches, fry onions in oil until golden brown, drain on paper towel. Season with salt and pepper, toss with grated parmesan cheese, topping is ready for casserole.
Meet the
Cookie Lady Cookies by Design
ou Anne Takach is having a bit of an identity crisis. Not a real crisis, of course—more of a nickname, if anything. In fact, it’s one of those charming, superhero alter egos that’s become quite easy for her to embrace. “Yep, I’m the Cookie Lady,” Takach said, taking a rare morning break at her Cookies by Design retail store in Bluffton. “I’ll be driving around [making deliveries in the company’s logo-adorned yellow PT Cruiser] or be back at the store and people will shout ‘There’s the Cookie Lady. Hey Cookie Lady! Mom, there’s the Cookie Lady!’ It’s really quite funny.” Whether she’s delivering a fresh-baked sugar cookie arrangement to Hilton Head, mixing up a batch of oatmeal raisin treats for a group of local teachers, or simply greeting a customer for a post-movie snack at her location near the courtyard at Sea Turtle Cinemas, Takach takes pride in the ‘Cookie Lady’ tag. “This right here,” said Takach, holding one of her signature cookies in her hand, “is designed the same way it was 28 years ago when Gwen [Willhite, the parent company’s founder and CEO] developed her franchise. Fresh ingredients, mixed, baked, hand-cut, decorated by hand. Everything’s done by hand here. And it shows.” Part of what makes a Cookies by Design arrangement distinct is its unique presentation. Prepared in the style of an elegant flower arrangement, the cookie displays are constructed with attention to detail and an eye for creative design. The bouquets can
be so alluring they’re often mistaken for works of art to be admired from afar—and not necessarily eaten, according to Takach. “People will get our bouquets, and [they’ll see] that they’re so beautifully designed and prepared, they’ll often ask, ‘Can we eat this?’ They don’t realize it’s freshly baked,” said Takach. “Yes, [it’s] 100 percent edible. Just don’t eat the tissue paper.” The cookies are available in traditional varieties such as sugar, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip as well as several house specialties. They can be ordered in person, over the phone or online. Cookies by Design has negotiated licensing arrangements with both the NCAA and NFL, so Takach can reproduce cookies for nearly any alma mater or sports allegiance. She can also make cookies in the style of a variety of Disney and cartoon characters upon request. Allowing the customer to tailor the product to fit a special event or occasion makes Takach’s tasty offerings anything but cookie-cutter. For example, if a company needs a cookie in the shape of a front loader or a backhoe, she can do that. Or if Bluffton High School needs “Bobcat” cookies for its upcoming homecoming football game, the Cookie Lady has them covered too. An expecting mother once asked her to prepare an arrangement to unveil for her and her husband the gender of their baby. She and her staff were thrilled to take on that challenge. “We get to be a part of the special events and
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Article by David Gignilliat
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Photography By Anne
Whether she’s delivering a fresh-baked sugar cookie arrangement to Hilton Head, mixing up a batch of oatmeal raisin treats for a group of local teachers, or simply greeting a customer for a post-movie snack at her location near the courtyard at Sea Turtle Cinemas, Takach takes pride in the ‘Cookie Lady’ tag.
occasions in people’s lives,” said Takach, a mother of three. “It’s a special feeling knowing you’re a part of that experience for someone.” The journey has been a winding one for the Pittsburgh, Pa. native. There’s always been a ‘sweet’ spot in her heart for the Lowcountry, having lived here briefly as her husband Doug’s military commitments zigzagged her and her family around the country and world. After Doug retired from the Marines, the family moved back here permanently in 1998. “We really like the Southern hospitality, just the whole warmness of this area. It’s very laid-back and relaxed. It doesn’t seem like life is so rushed,” she said. Before purchasing her Cookies by Design franchise in 2006, Takach had enjoyed eight successful years in the local hotel and hospitality industry, working in a variety of sales and management positions. Things were going well, but the timing seemed right for her to make a change. Her kids were grown, and her husband had retired from the military. And there seemed to be an entrepreneurial yearning that kept rising to the surface. “I had been looking for years and years to get back to my own schedule, so I decided I wanted to open my own business,” said Takach, who can deliver her cookie arrangements as far as Savannah, Beaufort, Fripp Island and Ridgeland, and all parts in between. “I thought that this was the time to do it, because I could establish a business where I live; and as the [Bluffton] area grows, my business is going to grow with it.” Takach had used Cookies by Design for gift-giving during her stint in the local hotel industry and decided to do some
informal research to confirm what she already suspected. “This [type of business] just seemed to be such a good fit,” she said. “I realized, wow, we could really use this type of business in our area. So what I did was order a bunch of Cookies by Design gifts from another store in Charleston, sent them to all my friends, sent them to work, and everybody said ‘Gosh, if someone would open a place like this here, they would make a killing.’ So I said, ‘Hmm, maybe there’s an opportunity here.’” Part of being her own boss means knowing her product inside and out. That means Takach has to do a lot of cookie-tasting, a ‘responsibility’ she doesn’t seem to mind. “Oh my gosh, yeah. I eat a lot of cookies. And I eat a ton of cookie dough too. It’s ridiculous,” said Takach, who confesses that her “Millionaire” cookie (made with butterscotch, chocolate, oatmeal and pecans) is her personal favorite. “It’s a rich, decadent cookie. It calls me every time I walk out the door. It says ‘Lou Anne, you forgot something.’” The product, after all, must come first. “It’s the quality control, making sure everything tastes the way it should, that really makes it work,” said Takach. “That’s what our customers have come to expect.” And that’s how the ‘Cookie Lady’ makes a great cookie: by design. Cookies by Design is located at 108 Buckwalter Road, Suite 2L (2nd Floor), in the Berkeley Place shopping complex, next to Sea Turtle Cinemas. The store is open Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday noon to 9 p.m. For more information, please contact the store at (843) 706-9505 or toll-free at 1-866-508-5232. Learn more or place an order online at cookiesbydesign.com.
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Article by David Tobias // Photography by Anne
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ichael Campbell has the perfect demeanor for a baseball coach. He’s calm and thoughtful and rarely flustered. He manages gracefully, keeping an even temper, watching carefully for the small things that give his 14- and 15-yearolds an advantage on the field. It’s his standing off the field, however, where he might hold the most significant advantage, because when Campbell disputes a call and suggests an umpire might need his eyes examined, he does so with unquestioned authority. Even the umpire, mildly offended at first, has to tilt his mask back, look over at the dugout and give him a knowing wink and a smile. You see, Michael Campbell—Dr. Michael Campbell—knows about sight and seeing. He’s an optometrist and he’s one of the best around. Campbell and his wife Maureen own Optical Solutions in Hospital Center Commons near the Hilton Head Hospital and a second location (the original) at Shelter Cove Plaza. They’re celebrating 25 years in the business this year, and their business continues to grow, with plans to add a new store in Bluffton later this year.
The Campbells came from the Midwest, both graduated from Indiana University with Michael finishing at the Indiana School of Optometry. Maureen’s training was as a dental hygienist, but she was happy to leave that behind and join her husband as a partner in his business when they moved east. They chose to move because of a glut of optometrists in Indiana at the time (especially in Indianapolis, for some reason); Maureen happened to have an uncle who was an ordained priest in Beaufort, South Carolina. They discovered the charms of Hilton Head Island after four months and found it to be a place where “everyone wanted to be everyone’s friend, because everyone was from somewhere else,” said Maureen. Michael first worked for the only ophthalmologist on the island. Although it was great training, he realized early on that owning and operating his own business was in his future. The opportunity was there to open a private optometry practice and retail shop. He did, and it worked.
When you submit to an optometry exam, you learn quite quickly that this is a specialized practice with changing technology. Comedian Brian Regan’s hilarious routine about eye exams is about 80 percent accurate, but like everything else technological, the machinery is getting smaller and more mobile. That monster machine that looked like a great big pair of very complicated glasses (Regan: “Are THESE my glasses!?”) is a phoropter, and it has been downsized, plasticized and is a lot less imposing. You’re still in the dark during the exam from time to time, but most of the tests are a variation of the old “Giant E” chart, plus a glaucoma test and a test for color blindness, all conducted in the light.
Looking in your eyes, Dr. Campbell can check for signs of diabetes, hypertension and other retinopathies—damage to the retina caused by complications of certain systemic diseases. “Eyes might be the windows to the soul, but they’re definitely windows of the general health of the body,” said Campbell. That’s because, viewing with the aid of magnification and a bright light, he can check the condition of blood vessels, which mirror the health of blood vessels in the rest of the body. In addition to checking for diseases of the eyes, the exam also assesses sight irregularities and the best corrections, which leads to a prescription for glasses, contacts or a suggestion that a patient consider Lasik surgery, a procedure also available at Optical Solutions’ hospital location.
“Eyes might be the windows to the soul, but they’re definitely windows of the general health of the body,” said Campbell.
Optical Solutions now goes far beyond comprehensive exams to include a vast array of frames, trained opticians and technicians to assist in fitting glasses and contacts, a total of 14 employees and three associate doctors, an onsite lens making lab and even a unique association with a Lasik surgery specialty company called the TLC Center. But the success of the business has always been professionalism, customer care and quality, according to Dr. Campbell. Both Optical Solutions outlets are crisp, efficient, professional and beautifully decorated with an interesting mix of medical and retail, which is what they must be because of the wide variety of services provided there. Frame choices are seemingly endless and beautifully displayed with designer names like Fendi, Juicy Couture, Coach and Jimmy Choo. The entire process from extensive exam to acquiring new eyewear can be completed in less than two hours, and you don’t feel rushed. That assumes choosing
one-hour lab service; it’s actually much more common to select frames and lenses and come back later to pick them up. “The one-hour lab service was added to assist visitors who sometimes lost their glasses on the beach or in the surf,” said Maureen. “You’d be amazed at how often people lose their glasses on vacation. And that can ruin your vacation. Before we added one-hour service, people had to drive to Savannah to get replacement glasses, and that takes hours out of their day.” The applications of optometry to baseball are almost as endless as baseball cliché’s. Keep your eye on the ball. Watch the ball hit the bat. Pick up the spin of the ball. None of this is why Dr. Campbell has been coaching baseball for 15 years. That goes back to a simple love of the game and having three boys who play. The Campbells have three sons and one daughter. Contributions of an optometrist to baseball are about as obvious as a volunteer groundskeeper who majors in agronomy and turf management (you can probably count on a pretty good looking field). In this case, thanks to the influence of Dr. Campbell, some kids in the Hilton
Dr. Michael Campbell and his wife Maureen.
Head Baseball association have their eyes tested before ball season begins. There aren’t many teenage baseball leagues where that’s part of the routine. But it seems nothing the Campbells do is routine. Does it make a difference? That’s hard to say—the season isn’t over yet. Call Optical solutions information at 843.681.6682.
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G J
em &
ewelry Services Article by David Tobias Photography By John Brackett
A jeweler’s jeweler
I
t’s highly likely, when you walk into the Gem Jewelry store in Port Royal Plaza that you will: a) Be greeted by the very charming Misty Graham b) Be secondarily welcomed by the charming, but far shorter, Roscoe (a friendly Jack/rat terrier) c) Be blown away by the 24 certifications (all framed) that proclaim Michael Graham to be far more than capable to work on your precious jewelry, gems and watches and assess the value of your gold. Twenty-four plaques on the wall is understandable if you’re an 80-yearold tinkerer who’s been doing nothing but lapidary correspondence courses for the last 50 years or so, but Michael Graham is a 40-year-old father of three, who looks all of about 25, who’s been in the business of jewelry and watchmaking for less than two decades. The certificates on the wall, however, confirm his experience, knowledge and skill in: diamond grading; colored stones grading; > Michael Graham insurance replacement value; colored stones; gem identification; diamonds; detecting fracturefitted diamonds; detecting treated emeralds, rubies and sapphires; basic repair and setting of jewelry; international repair of jewelry; advanced stone setting; platinum
fundamentals and pocket watch repair. He is even confirmed as a master of the art and science of watch-making. That’s a hefty list of accreditations (and we might even have missed one or two). The only item in the gem-jewelrywatch repair family he doesn’t work on is clocks, and that’s only because he hasn’t been certified on clocks… yet. “I realize I don’t look old enough to be doing this,” said Graham, who defies the little old man with the visor and jeweler’s loupe stereotype. “But how many people really end up working in a field they love and in the field they went to school for? I always loved rocks.” Graham has been a gemologist— and now a graduate gemologist—and a horologist for almost 20 years, a fact even he finds hard to believe. And, along with wife Misty, he’s owned his own store for nearly 10 years. It all started with that love of rocks, which grew into a passion and from that has become a career. Michael grew up on Hilton Head Island and Misty came here from Belmont County, Ohio. She worked in daycare for four and a half years before joining Michael in the gem and jewelry business. Michael paid his dues at places like Friedman’s and Saks Fifth Avenue in the Shelter Cove Mall. He managed
two stores for a while and was the “bench jeweler”—kind of a jeweler-under-glass, as he calls it—for Friedman’s before that store closed. “I learned I didn’t want to do that anymore, and then the store closed about the time I learned of my brain tumor,” Michael said. Surgery removed a malignant tumor about the size of a racquetball and Michael, figuring there wasn’t much to lose but wanting to stay in the business, took a chance and went into business for himself, first working out of his home, then taking a “portable bench” on the road to work on jewelry onsite. In 2001, he opened the Gem Jewelry and has been in the same location since. (The surgery, by the way, was a success—there has been no recurrence.) A lot has changed in the jewelry and gem business in the years since the store opened, most significantly the value of gold. The price of an ounce of gold in 2001 was hovering at about $250. Today it’s selling at almost $1,350 an ounce. That, combined with the overall state of the economy and the aging demographic, has pushed the business of gold front and center for the Grahams’ Gem Jewelry store. They still sell about 15 watch batteries a day and take in a fair amount of watches and jewelry for repair, but estate sale gold, all of a sudden, is big business. Some comes into the store in boxes and sandwich bags, a mish-mash of 14-carat, 18-carat and 9-carat gold. Some people bring in 16-carat gold fillings, and others
> Located in Port Royal Plaza on Hilton Head Island Across from Sam’s Club Next to Bi-Lo 843-342 3663
bring in five-ounce gold bars. “In those cases when it comes in a bag or a box, we put it all out and start sorting through it with a loupe and a rare earth magnet.” said Michael. “The magnet will separate the brass from the gold,” Misty explained. Gem Jewelry takes a percentage of the value of the gold as their fee, then Michael refines it, gets it as close to 24-carat gold as he can, and sells it on the commodities exchange like a stock. In instances when customers want the gold refined for their own use, to be re-purposed for rings, bracelets, necklaces or other jewelry, Gem Jewelry can provide a significant value increase for the new piece, sometimes three times the value of the original gold. The business of gold is relatively new and surprisingly lucrative, but providing jewelry and watch repair services for longtime customers continues to be a large part of the overall business. “We get discovered all the time, but people who’ve been here for a while know us,” said Misty. “They know our kids, they
GJ
em ewelry
know our business and they know they can count on us to do the job right.” Most of Gem Jewelers’ customers are looking for someone who can do the simple things that jewelers do. They come from Sun City, Sea Pines and all over. They’re middle aged and younger kids and sometime the request is as simple as having a ring sized, adding a link to a bracelet or repairing a chain. But sometimes the business goes high profile, as when Michael was asked to appraise 500-year-old Thai rubies the size of softballs so the jewels could be insured by a bank. He was invited to view and test the rubies and authenticate statements of origin, and he was able to confirm their value at roughly $500 million. That was fun, but Michael says the highest form of flattery he receives is referrals from other jewelers, especially those he’s known for a while. “I’m honored to be considered a jeweler’s jeweler,” he said. “Sometimes if others can’t figure it out, they send the piece to me.” Jeweler’s Jeweler. That might look nice neatly framed as certificate number 25.
ARTICLE BY FRANK DUNNE JR. //
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN BRACKETT
ISLAND BAGEL & SPORTS ADDICTION
WITH THAT, I LEAD YOU INTO THE STORY OF A LOCAL FAMILY BUSINESS— ACTUALLY, TWO BUSINESSES—THAT WILL LEAVE YOU (AND ME) WITH A SIGNIFICANTLY WARMER, FUZZIER FEELING.
“F
redo, you’re my older brother, and I love you. But don’t ever take sides with anyone against the Family again. Ever.” We all know what happened to poor old Fredo in the end. That’s the kind of thing that usually comes to my mind when I hear the words family and business used in the same sentence…lines from The Godfather. But then, I’m probably just a little bit weirder than the rest of you. With that, I lead you into the story of a local family business—actually, two businesses—that will leave you (and me) with a significantly warmer, fuzzier feeling. To set the scene, Jim Buser and his sister, Kathy Bradford, own and operate Sports Addiction, the sports and fitness outfitter in Bluffton’s Sheridan Park. Jim and his wife, Marri, own and operate Island Bagel Company’s two locations: one on Hilton Head at South Island Square and the other in Bluffton, also in Sheridan Park. Jim and Kathy realized a shared dream of running a business together when they opened Sports Addiction. Any sibling rivalry? Not here. “We’ve always been very close,” said Kathy. That’s important…getting along. But in terms of experience and skills that each brings to the table, this Oklahoma born and raised pair have a formula that’s not likely to miss the mark, and their paths always seemed destined to converge. Jim came to Hilton Head in 1987 to train and compete professionally as a triathlete. Between then and the time that he and Kathy opened Sports Addiction, he founded (with nowSouth Carolina State Representative Bill Herbkersman) the Cycle Center bicycle shop and grew it into an eight-location chain throughout the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire. He sold that business and went into food & beverage, opening the original Hilton Head Brewing Company, among other establishments.
Kathy joined her brother in the Lowcountry, bringing along a solid business acumen of her own. She had been in Bakersfield, California opening new plants for Frito-Lay—her first job out of college. “I wasn’t happy in California, though,” she said. “Bakersfield was like ‘Little Oklahoma’ to me. So when Jim suggested that I move to Hilton Head, it was a no-brainer.” She helped launch another Hilton Head bicycle shop (that is still in business today), and, although they were not partners yet, Kathy chipped in with some bookkeeping and accounting for Jim’s business interests. SPORTS ADDICTION After Jim sold his restaurant businesses, he and Kathy opened Sports Addiction in 2002. Frankly, as a guy who has gotten pretty used to poking at my Blackberry to order some new running shorts or a pair of socks online, I had to ask, why a sporting goods store now? “There was nothing here in terms of sporting goods,” said Jim, excluding golf of course. Nevertheless, it seemed kind of anachronistic to me until I walked into the store and it started to make sense. First thing is the smell, that strange mixture of leather and rubber that took me back to when I was a kid growing up in Birmingham, Michigan, where we got all of our sports stuff at The Varsity Shop, a homey, cluttered little shop on the corner of Pierce and Merrill Streets. This is where you went to get your cleats and mouth guard for football season and pick up your baseball uniform in the springtime. Sports Addiction is a lot bigger and better organized than the old Varsity Shop, but the sensation is there. “It’s about a guy, like me, who wants to come in and try on a shoe or swing a bat,” said Jim. No golf clubs to swing, though. “We’ve got everything in here but golf.” That’s pretty well covered in these parts, but for everything else: baseball, football, running, fitness, basketball, cycling, soccer—you name it—it’s there.
“We’re here for the people who want to come in and feel and touch,” Jim said, and who want good, friendly, personal service at and after the sale. That’s something you don’t get shopping online or at mega retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods (which we don’t have in the immediate area anyway). It’s especially important for equipment that requires a lot of maintenance and service, like bicycles or fitness machines. If you purchase a bike or a treadmill, for example, Sports Addiction is there for service and support. “We’ll even come out to your home to build a basketball goal in the driveway.” ISLAND BAGEL CO. While Jim is busy taking care of our sporting goods needs, his wife Marri is running things at Island Bagel Co. Breakfast and Lunch Café, just across the street from Sports Addiction or on Hilton Head at South Island Square. Jim and Marri purchased the former Woody’s Darn Good Bagels from friends a year ago, and the same philosophy of good service and quality applies. “The first thing Marri and I did was up the labor,” said Jim. How often have you heard that in recent years? “You’re never going to be waiting 15 minutes for a bagel.” Make that a freshbaked bagel. Nothing is brought in frozen at Island Bagel. “Our baker, Antonio, comes in at 3:30 every morning to bake the bagels fresh for both stores,” said Marri. “He’s been doing that since it was the Chesapeake Bagel Company.” It’s not only bagels, though, that you won’t have to wait for, because Island Bagel isn’t just for breakfast anymore. “I added ‘Breakfast & Lunch Café’ to our name so people know that we’re not just bagels and breakfast,” Marri said. “We’re not actually a
deli, but we’ve got paninis and subs, soups and salads, and I want people to know that we’re a good place for lunch.” A quick look at the menu is enough to tell you that this is not just a bagels and coffee shop. In addition to 16 fresh, baked-fromscratch bagel flavors and 10 cream cheese varieties, if you should wander in at lunchtime you’ll find plenty of choices, including 13 specialty sandwiches. How does a Steak & Egg Sandwich made with sliced prime rib sound? Perhaps you’d prefer an Italian Panini or a Mega Veggie. Island Bagel is Marri’s first foray into business ownership. How does one who is more accustomed to a less physically demanding office environment suddenly adjust to the alwayson-your-feet rigors of restaurant ownership? She says it’s the people. “We have great employees, which definitely makes it better. They have passion for their work and they have fun with the customers.” Being in a family business helps too. “With a husband who owns a sports store,” she said, “I’ll always have a good pair of shoes for work!” Sports Addiction is located at 70 Pennington Drive in the Village at Sheridan Park. Call (843) 815-8281 or visit online at sportsaddiction.us. Island Bagel Co. has two locations: on Hilton Head Island at 841 William Hilton Parkway in South Island Square and in Bluffton at the Village at Sheridan Park. Call (843) 686-3353 or visit on Facebook at facebook.com/IslandBagel.
Distressed Real Property
Your Options Article by Michael W. Mogil, P.A.
S
outhern Beaufort County is among the hardest hit regions in the national real estate price crash. Property values here increased more than the national average in the preceding decade, and the area is dependent on discretionary purchasing of second homes, retiree relocation, and a continuously growing economy. Speculating in real estate was a local pastime throughout the growth years, such that a disproportionate number of locals owned more than one property subject to a mortgage. The combination of a dramatic cut back in local employment in the construction sector over the past three years, combined with the near elimination of lot loans, no doc loans and 90 to 100 percent loan financing has caused supply of properties for sale to far exceed demand. Prices have fallen locally between 35 and 80 percent from the 2005-2006 highs, depending on the type of property and location. Thus, distressed loans and foreclosures remain at historically high rates. For many locals, whose income is dependent on retirement account portfolios or directly related to businesses and jobs involving real estate transactions and construction, (e.g. builders and tradesmen, brokers, lenders, transactional professionals and staff), or the national economy, this means income plunged at the same time as market prices have severely declined. People have higher mortgage payments and less cash to pay the servicing of loan(s) which often exceed the value of the secured property. And they cannot quickly sell. If you are faced with this situation, what are your options? Your first decision is whether to keep the secured property or let it go. Surprisingly, many people are, in fact, choosing to “let
go,” because either they have exhausted their resources servicing principal debt for years or they are making a calculated decision based on their guess that property values will take a long time to recover such that the short-term credit score or liability ramifications of missing mortgage payments are not significant enough to justify the continued expense of carrying property. The term “strategic default” has become popular jargon. Our office advises people working their way through the maze of possibilities raised by a mortgage default, but the remainder of this article will focus on the options available to people who want to keep their properties despite the current weak market. Starting with the assumption that a primary residence confers benefits beyond the potential profit upon sale, such as tax deductions, flexibility in living arrangements, and stability, there is value in trying to keep your property. Under most existing conventional loan programs, borrowers who default on their existing mortgage loans may be barred from obtaining a new conventional loan in the near term—three to seven years. Thus, keeping property and the underlying loan remains the favored option for many. Under current market conditions, an “upside down” owner who cannot easily continue to pay has the following options, each of which trigger difficult decisions: 1) Continuing paying the loan according to the contract; 2) loan modification; 3) short sale; 4) default; and 5) bankruptcy protection. The analysis below is really not relevant to owners who have significant equity in their mortgaged properties; in those instances, a sale at market price will quickly resolve financial considerations. Here are the alternatives:
Continue to pay. The first option for an “upside down” owner
trial modification periods, and often the ultimate rejection of the modification. For the owner, modification can be a is to continue paying the loan according to its contract terms. This salvation. I have had clients whose mortgage payments were option preserves credit rating and delays other potential negative reduced 30 to 50 percent over the term of their loan, allowing consequences of default such as entry of a money judgment or them to keep their homes. I recommend participating in the the undesired income tax allocations. Each individual case raises modification process if you want to keep your property. unique life circumstances that factor into this decision, but for a A few additional caveats: Most primary residence, my general rule of thumb modifications have not been is that it usually makes sense for a borrower Who succeeds and who does approved. This summer, a West to continue paying if the ongoing household Palm Beach convention attracted not is not immediately predictable, income is sufficient to meet the mortgage and life obligations or if the responsible parties because the process is dependent on a more than 5,000 participants from have substantial, non protected (IRA, 401k) number of variables such as the lender, around the country who shared their stories and experiences with loan savings that will not be meaningfully reduced the applicable federal and private modification. At the time, statistics by a short-term negative cash drain caused by programs, property value, demonstrated that only one in five a mortgage they cannot afford. first mortgages was successfully the borrower’s financial condition modified. and timing. Loan modification. Loan modification is Who succeeds and who does the process of restructuring a mortgage loan, not is not immediately predictable, either temporarily or permanently, to reduce interest, payments, because the process is dependent on a number of variables principal or any combination of those factors. Loan modification such as the lender, the applicable federal and private usually involves the deferment or cure of missed payments to the programs, property value, the borrower’s financial condition end of the loan. Loan modification is negotiated with you directly by and timing. I highly recommend against paying large fees lender servicing agents. The first thing you should know is that even to third party modification companies, particularly those with federally sponsored initiatives, loan modification is a voluntary who are out of town or who advertise on late night TV, the process on both sides, and absent unusual circumstances or under radio or the Internet. I am not aware of any clients who certain bankruptcy situations, no lender has a legal obligation to paid $3,000 or more to a third-party company to modify modify a loan. Thus, borrowers attempting to modify experience their loan and reached a successful result. Finally, many the frustration of lengthy and repetitive exchanges of information,
modification programs require that the borrower be in default, meaning that they miss payments prior to being considered. Thus, the borrower usually must damage his credit rating and expose himself to the foreclosure process before he can modify. What about loan principal reduction programs reported in the media? There are federally based incentive programs which my firm has not yet encountered in actual practice. And there are voluntary troubled debt restructure programs (TDR) that lenders implement on a case-by-case basis. Principal reduction is a possibility but not a current reality in most situations.
Short sale. A short sale is when a property sells for a price that is less than the sum of the mortgage, judgment and other liens encumbering the property. The lenders and judgment holders agree to release their liens for less in order to receive cash at a closing, near term. Under current market conditions, many properties can only sell at short sale prices, or after foreclosed. A short sale often (but not always) requires that the seller be in default under its loan(s). Our office is involved with a large number of short sales. There are a number of anticipated results: 1) The lien holders reject the sale or the first lien holder accepts the sale but the second lien holder does not. Normally, that is the end of the transaction and the owner still owns the property; 2) the lien holder(s) agree to release their liens but reserve rights against the borrowers for the balance not paid off; 3) the lien holders agree to release their liens and underlying claims for present cash payment and issue a 1099 income allocation for the difference or; 4) the release specified in number 3 is negotiated with the borrower/seller having to make additional payment at closing. Tax consequences associated with short sale must be discussed with a tax professional, because they involve the application of a 2008 federal homeowner relief law, capital gains, and ordinary income. Short sales are usually complicated negotiations. Many local Realtors have been trained to assist sellers and buyers through this process. Our office also counsels clients in these matters and acts as settlement agent in short sale transactions. We also work with third party negotiators and specialists. The primary consideration before entering a short sale which is often overlooked is the question of whether you want to keep your property. Short sales often delay foreclosure and avoid some of the credit and emotional consequences of foreclosure, but ultimately, short sale results in another person owning your property; thus, you lose its use and its long-term benefits. Default. Default occurs when the borrower stops paying the mortgage, or in the case where there is a first or second mortgage, one or both. The first consequence of default is a negative credit score hit. Then expect repeated contacts from the lender to coerce payment, styled as efforts to work with the borrower to determine the cause of the default and its potential resolution. Ultimately, if the default is not cured and the loan not modified, the lender forecloses (or in the case of investment properties, may simply sue on the note). Foreclosure in South Carolina is a judicial process that takes a minimum of 90 days. A borrower can defend the lawsuit, asserting actual defenses to the loan or payment schedule, or procedural rights available to delay the foreclosure for a short period of time. As a practical matter, nationally, foreclosures are taking more than 90 days, and the most recent data I read says that the foreclosure process is averaging between 350 to 425 days from the date of the first missed payment until foreclosure sale. After foreclosure sale, the lender, or a third party, owns the property and the prior owner has a very short window to vacate, usually less than 30 days.
Last week Chase, Bank of America and other lenders announced that they are freezing foreclosures in 23 states, including South Carolina, due to the discovery that employees who signed affidavits used in foreclosure to quantify and document loan defaults did not actually read the underlying computer generated loan files. In South Carolina, affidavits are only used where the borrower consents, or in cases where borrowers default, i.e. do not file answers to the foreclosure lawsuit. Here, the practical impact of the current freeze will likely be to delay foreclosures initiated by the national lenders for only a few months since nearly all loans in foreclosure have been in default for many months. This issue reinforces, however, my recommendation that if you are facing foreclosure, you retain an experienced attorney to advise you of your legal position and to take whatever protective measures are available. The post sale consequences of foreclosure are largely dependent on whether the subject property was primary residence property and whether the lender or lenders seek a deficiency money judgment. Lenders consider property values, federal subsidies, mortgage insurance considerations and the borrower’s ability to pay in making deficiency determinations. Tax considerations and asset protection are primary issues we usually discuss with clients in this area.
Bankruptcy. Bankruptcy reorganization through a Chapter 11 or Chapter 13 case offers owners the ability to stop foreclosure proceedings up until the very day of foreclosure sale, and potentially cure their loan account(s) by resuming ongoing payments and making up the missed payments and account fees, called arrearage, over a plan period of three to five years. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is also available to discharge debts, and stay foreclosure in the short term, but a debtor in Chapter 7 cannot force a lender to accept a longterm repayment plan. Thus, Chapter 7 is not usually employed where a property that an owner desires to retain is subject to loan default.
Default occurs when the borrower stops paying the mortgage, or in the case where there is a first or second mortgage, one or both. The first consequence of default is a negative credit score hit.
Bankruptcy, be it Chapter 11 or 13, is a powerful tool that can give borrowers/owners a fresh start and, alternatively, may address and discharge the judgment and tax consequences caused by owning distressed real estate. Bankruptcy can also, in unique circumstances, convert junior liens into unsecured debt and eliminate certain judgment liens, freeing future equity in property. Bankruptcy considerations include the impact on a debtor’s business and his/her personal property and long-term goals. Bankruptcy does not, under current law, discharge any debts which accrue after the date of filing a case, which means that regime and POA fees that accrue after bankruptcy filing but before foreclosure sale are often not discharged in a bankruptcy case. Loss of income and ownership of distressed real estate raises issues and decisions that many local residents did not anticipate having to address. This article is not intended to confer legal advice related to any specific situation. Please contact our firm in confidence should you have any specific questions in this area. To comment or for further information, contact Michael Mogil at mmogil@mogillaw.com or call (843) 785-8110.
Meet C2’S Bachelor
nominees
of 2010! Anthony Galletta Wayne Morris Age: 28 Occupation: Station Manager WHHI Hometown: Sumter, SC My Entrance Music would be: “Juicy” by Notorious B.I.G. My personality is most like that of a (dog breed): Border collie
Age: 27 Occupation: Personal Banker Hometown: Oswego, NY My Entrance Music: Theme song from “Growing Pains” – or any other 90s sitcom. You know it’s gonna be funny. My personality is most like that of a: My dog Gracie – whatever she is. She’s a mixed breed but loves people, especially her father, and is very energetic.
Jeff Ford
David Lovegrove
Age: 22 Occupation: Fitness Specialist Hometown: Newbury, MA My Entrance Music would be: “Let’s Get it Started” by Black-Eyed Peas My personality is most like that of a: Chocolate lab because girls think they are cute, they’re very athletic and super fun to play with at the beach.
Age: 30 Occupation: Audio Visual & IT Manager at the Hilton Head Island Marriott Hometown: Adelaide, Australia My Entrance Music “Crazy” by Seal My personality is most like that of a: A Border collie (hardworking, intelligent, loyal, loving and have enough aggression to be a guard dog, if need be)
Ben Wolfe Age: 24 Occupation: Performing Arts Director, Hilton Head Preparatory Hometown: Sandersville, GA My Entrance Music Pre-Bachelor of the Year- “Ridin’ Solo”. Post Competition – “Daydream Believer” (only works if you enter the room in slow motion...a la movie montage) My personality is most like that of a: Because I’m generally easy-going, funny and can get along with anyone, I’ll go with the little beauty that is the English Bulldog.
Darrell Finch Joseph DuBois Age: 32 Occupation: Attorney Hometown: Charleston, SC My Entrance Music would be: “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley My personality is most like that of a: A Boykin Spaniel because I am energetic, friendly, playful & water-loving.
Amiri Geuka Farris Age: 34 Occupation: Artist Professor at USCB, Musician Hometown: Palm Beach, FL My Entrance Music would be: “Bad” by Michael Jackson My personality is most like that of a: Rhodesian Ridgeback
Age: 36 Occupation: Real Estate Broker – REMAX Island Realty Hometown: Statesboro, GA My Entrance Music would be: “Rock you Like a Hurricane” by Scorpions My personality is most like that of a: Airedale Terrier. A rowdy handful as a puppy, the Airedale Terrier matures into a dignified, self-assured, courageous adult. Eye-catching unique breed, resilient & loyal.
Adam Gremo Age: 26 Occupation: Kitchen Designer – Total Design Concepts Hometown: Canterbury, England My Entrance Music would be: “Jump on It” by Sugarhill Gang Apache My personality is most like that of a: Scottish Terrier
Gabriel Nan Age: 27 Occupation: Personal Trainer Hometown: Uruguay My Entrance Music would be: “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley My personality is most like that of a: German shepherd
Bryan Kassner Age: 22 Occupation: Restaurant manager (Black Marlin) Hometown: New London, PA My Entrance Music would be: “It Takes Two” by Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock My personality is most like that of a: Golden Retriever
Dan Gafgen Age: 62 Occupation: Financial Advisor Hometown: Newport, Rhode Island My Entrance Music would be: “I Believe I can Fly” by R. Kelly My personality is most like that of a: Shepherd/ Husky
Zachary Biondi Christopher Johnson
Age: 34 Occupation: Chiropractor Hometown: Casco, ME My Entrance Music would be: “Soul Coughing” by Four Out of Five (not that it reflects my personality – I just like hearing the song. My personality is most like that of a: Basset Hound (Lovable and amiable, but definitely know what I want and what direction I want to go)
Age: 42 Occupation: CVS Store Manager Hometown: Spartanburg, SC My Entrance Music would be: “Kick Start my Heart” by Motley Crue My personality is most like that of a: German shepherd (undying loyalty, commitment & friendship)
Age: 30 Occupation: Branch Manager of a Bank Hometown: Rutherford, NC My Entrance Music would be: Probably the theme song from “Titanic,” ‘cause everybody likes Celine Dion. My personality is most like that of a: A Labradoodle – a walking contradiction to anything that makes sense. Does that make sense?
Mark Jenkins
Adam Woernle
Jeff Hunt
Kent Gezymalla
Age: 30’s Occupation: Musician / Director of Food & Beverage Hometown: Palm Beach, FL My personality is most like that of a: A Great Dane
Age: 22 Occupation: Accounting Hometown: Hilton Head Island, SC My Entrance Music would be: “Thriller” by Michael Jackson My personality is most like that of a: Black Lab – Because they have lots of energy and are the best looking dogs!
Age: 47 Occupation: Realtor (Carolina Realty Group) Hometown: Durham, NC My Entrance Music would be: “I’ll be there for you” by the Rembrandts My personality is most like that of a: Golden Retriever
Age: 32 Occupation: Real Estate Agent (Keller Williams) & Bartender (Aunt Chiladas) Hometown: Atlanta, GA My Entrance Music would be: “Punch you in the Eye” by Phish My personality is most like that of a: Labrador (playful, always in a good mood & loyal)
Erik Knabenhans
David Justini Age: 38 Occupation: Owner of Porch Outfitters Hometown: Saddle River, NJ My Entrance Music would be: “Ride of the Valkyries” by Richard Wagner My personality is most like that of a: Yellow Lab (loyal & smart)
Larry Strouse Age: 45 Occupation: Pool Operator/ Technician Hometown: Manahawkin, NJ My Entrance Music would be: “Blue Sky” by the Allman Brothers My personality is most like that of a: Labrador (Fun & Love the water)
Breck Roper Age: 21 Occupation: Personal Trainer Hometown: Atlanta, GA My Entrance Music would be: “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straights My personality is most like that of a: A Bulldog. They are loyal, yet chill dogs. So ugly they’re cute.
Erik Orlando Age: 36 Occupation: Physical Therapist Hometown: Erie, PA My Entrance Music would be: “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC My personality is most like that of a: Lab (they are loyal, kind, fun and have lots of energy!)
Billy Fink Age: 40 “something” Occupation: Self-Employed Hometown: Evansville, IN My Entrance Music would be: “Short Skirt, Long Jacket” by Cake My personality is most like that of a: A Lab. Cool personality, lots of energy, likes everybody and TRAINABLE.
HIM C2
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HIM Mix & Match Salty Dog Apparel For Him, Her, Kids & Pets! Special November Offer: Buy any item, get the second item half off! The Salty Dog Retail Store 63 Arrow Road 843.842.8265 Decorative Table-Top “Lowcountry” Christmas Tree Branches Palmetto Bay Rd. 843. 785.2535
Assorted NCAA, NFL, MLB Golf Products, Accessories, Apparel & More! Mulligan’s Golf Balls & More Next to Outback in Buckwalter Place 843.815.2621 Tennis Anyone? Sports Addiction Sheridan Park 843.815.8281 All-inclusive Golf Membership to Dolphin Head Golf Course Newly renovated golf course, year round social and dining events for golfers and non-golfers alike. Hilton Head Plantation 843.681.5550 ext.222 www.dolphinheadgc.com
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HIM Peter Millar Quilted Outerwear Jacket Peter Millar Concord Colored Fleece Vest Peter Millar Button-Down cotton plaid shirt Teague’s Village at Wexford 843.842.9868
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GUIDE What does every man love? Food. And Beer. You can never go wrong with a Gift Certificate to his favorite local hangout.
HIM Get Him to the Game! What could be a more thoughtful gift than buying your guy TWO tickets to one of his favorite sporting events? And the other ticket should be for his best guy pal...not you. www.stubhub.com
This gift may not be for EVERY man, but chances are if he lives in the Lowcountry, he likes to fish. Not sure about what lure or pole is the best choice? Get a gift certificate and let him decide. Southern Drawl Outfitters Moss Creek Village 843-705-6010 Shelter Cove Marina Store 1 Shelter Cove Lane (843) 842-7001
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Clean, no, “DETAIL” his car. Or rather, pay a professional to do it. Auto Spa Palmetto Bay Rd. 843.842.2001 Island Car Wash 1008 Wm. Hilton Parkway 843.785.9274
You have an
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Month
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at ____________________ ❐ am ❐ pm.
One Stop Shopping for HIM at Main Street Village At the entrance to Hilton Head Plantation Every store offers you something exciting to enhance your holiday experience. An original piece of artwork always makes a nice gift for the man who has everything. Nash Galleries Shelter Cove Marina 843.785.6424
Annual Christmas Concert Warms the Heart By Melissa Koch
E
ach December, as the temperature turns features community musicians, including Laura and from a nip to a chill, the magical twinkle of Rusty Floyd, Chalmers Gorman, Cheryl Duren, Gayle the holidays begins to descend upon us. Lang, Rick Johnson and many others. The program The sound of crunching leaves slowly gives includes a mixture of religious and secular holiday way to the tinkling of bells and the sound of favorites that gives listeners a feeling of relaxing in the carols. The smell of fireplaces and home-cooked meals comforts of their own living room. wafts through the air. Hearts turn to fond memories of Of the children’s participation in the concert, holidays past, and children begin to stir up a sense of school director Sissy Jarrell says, “They always excitement that can only mean one thing: Christmas is provide some surprises! We never know exactly how upon us. the children will respond to a The annual “Songs large audience, but it is always What: The annual “Songs from the Heart,” from the Heart,” a Christmas a delight to see their happy a Christmas concert benefiting The First concert benefiting The First faces and hear their beautiful Presbyterian Day School Presbyterian Day School, will voices.” The concert has return this year on Friday, become an island tradition that When: Friday, December 3, 2010 at 7 p.m. December 3, 2010, and is sure sets a joyful tone and spirit for to bring about that sense of the holiday season and is one Where: The First Presbyterian Church heartwarming wonderment of the year’s highlights for the that everyone looks forward children of the Day School. Tickets: $20 for reserved seating and to during the holidays. The The First Presbyterian Day $15 for general admission evening opens with the voices School was established in 1984 (843) 681-3695. of the Day School children and as an outreach mission of the
“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.” —Laura Ingalls Wilder
First Presbyterian Church. The preschool serves working parents of two-, three- and four-year olds and provides tuition assistance for families in need. The Day School is a Reggio Emilia inspired school, using a curriculum originally developed in the Italian city of the same name. The Reggio philosophy sees children, parents and teachers as equal partners in a learning process that is driven by discovery. “We believe that young children are curious, capable and competent learners,” explained Jarrell. “As we observe and listen to the children, we gather ideas for topics of study. Children and teachers research these topics and work together in investigative projects. The skills that we want to provide the children are then infused into the project.” The children hypothesize and brainstorm at the onset of each project, and exemplify their findings through drawing, sculpture, dramatic play and writing, among other things. Projects can last anywhere from a week to the entire school year, depending on the interest of the children. Out of some past projects, children have produced plays from start to finish (including scriptwriting and costume design), entered an interactive recycled material sculpture into a juried exhibit (which won them the Junior Prize), and built a tree house on their playground (with help from teachers and parents, of course)! Sometimes projects are as simple as learning about every aspect of a subject, from babies, to fish, to bicycles. Each project is documented by teachers through pictures and interviews with the children. Towards the end of each school year, the work of the children and their teachers is put on display throughout the school’s hallways, classrooms, and playgrounds in a monthlong exhibit for friends and family. “I was very impressed to see how much work such little people were able to do and just how creative these groups of children could be,” said Day School parent Angela McSwain. Along the way, children are also meeting criteria set by the National Association of the Education of the Young Child. The Day School has maintained accreditation by the NAEYC since 1994 and has also been cited as a model program by First Steps of South Carolina. The school’s teachers have mentored other childcare providers and teachers in the surrounding region. In addition to putting on the annual Christmas concert, the Day School parents also participate in several other fundraisers throughout the year, including Birdies for Charity and selling Scrip gift cards and Brax Spirit Cups™. The school also hosts a spring fundraising event, to be announced in the near future. These fundraising activities help offset some operational expenses and maintain an affordable tuition rate. The “Songs from the Heart” Christmas concert will be held in the sanctuary of The First Presbyterian Church at 540 William Hilton Parkway on Friday, December 3 at 7 p.m. Proceeds from the concert help purchase classroom materials and curriculum needs for the school. Tickets are $20 for reserved seating and $15 for general admission and may be purchased from any Day School parent or at the Day School office or by calling the school at (843) 681-3695.
Article by Craig Hysell Photography by John Brackett
Is Your Fitness Program Constantly Varied?
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hange. We all fear it and yet it’s rarely as bad as we Your fitness program should be just that: a program, not thought it was going to be. Why we fear change is a routine. Routines create ruts and ruts create stagnation. You a separate can of worms, but the simple truth is this: need to constantly shake up your fitness regimen if you want If we are to grow, we must change, even if change is to consistently see results. That doesn’t mean go buy a Shake something we find terrifying. So maybe we should Weight or take up paddleboarding if you’re afraid of the ocean. stop thinking of change as something so You can constantly vary your program scary. Maybe we should start considering within a gym’s walls. You just have to Nothing, absolutely nothing, change for what it really is—something be at the right gym around the right can take the place of a competent people. Here’s how to turn plateaus into much more inspiring: evolution. Have you ever been bored in the instructor, trainer or coach, and mountains and never be bored again: gym? Ever hit a plateau where gains have when you have found one, you will just stopped coming? Ever wonder if all 1. Know What You Want. If you know it. this workout stuff is translating to your want to be fit, get around people who are life outside the gym’s walls and, as a fit. If you want to be a bodybuilder get direct correlate, ask the really big question, what’s the point? around people who body build. Know what you want and know Good, that’s normal. All of us that take being fit as not a luxury the difference. Bodybuilders work at isolating muscle groups but a necessity have felt the same thing, and there is an answer to build hypertrophy. Fit people, if they are training correctly, to the big questions and the hopeless woes. It lies in one little train the body from the standpoint of functional movement. secret: constantly varied programming. Functional movement is the kinesthetic theory in which the body
Craig Hysell spots one of his clients at CrossFit Hilton Head.
was meant to work in concert with itself; meaning that all of our parts work with all of our other parts to create the most effective and efficient human machine possible. Hypertrophy is also a result of functional movement training, but not the only goal. Do you want to be a bodybuilder or an athlete? These are questions only you can answer, and there is no wrong answer. 2. Get Around Smart People. If you want to be a bodybuilder, get around bodybuilders. If you want to compete in triathlons, get around triathletes. If you want to be in a constantly varied program that has no chance of letting you plateau or allowing boredom to creep into your existence, Google “constantly varied programming� and see what comes up. Educate yourself on what you want, and then go find those people and learn from them. Keep an open mind at all times; find what works for you. 3. Be Willing. Everything has its price; sometimes it costs more than your hardearned dollar. Fitness is a commitment. It takes discipline, courage, self-reliance, and accountability. It is your time to be selfish, to enjoy your body and focus your mind. It often takes a sacrifice. In our busy world, it can be difficult to stay committed to being fit, especially if we are bored or have hit a plateau. Give yourself the edge by constantly varying your program! If you falter in your commitment to yourself, you have no right to complain about the results.
4. Hire An Instructor. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can take the place of a competent instructor, trainer or coach, and when you have found one, you will know it. Does the instructor listen to you? Does he or she demand safe, efficient, effective technique with a full range of motion? Does he or she scale workouts to fit your needs, capacity or injury status? Do you have time to talk during your workout or are you there to work out? Does the instructor push you? Does he or she pull you back when necessary? Is he or she patient? Knowledgeable? A teacher makes all the difference, good or bad. Make sure you are grading your teacher as much as he or she is grading you. (Hint: The good ones won’t mind you grading them at all.) In short, your fitness program should be like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates: You should never know what you’re
gonna get. The program should feel random, but be as far from random as possible—that’s yet another benefit to being at the right gym around the right people. You should learn something every day you step into your gym, from your instructor and about yourself. You should stay safe and above all, have fun! Do that and you will never be bored, never hit plateaus, never fear change or ever wonder if it’s all worth it. That’s a heck of nice way to walk through life. That’s how you evolve… Craig Hysell is co-owner of CrossFit Hilton Head and a Level I Certified CrossFit Trainer.
Audrey (Alli Kenneweg) dreams of going ‘Somewhere that’s Green’ with her dream guy, Seymour Krelborn (Taylor Calamari.) But, the fates (and a violent talking plant) have other plans...
Little
bloo
n m i
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Shop of Horrors H i lton
d Pre H ea
p stu
d ents
W
hen the script calls for an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood who grows into an illtempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore who offers fame and fortune in exchange for feeding a growing appetite, finally revealing itself as an alien creature poised for global domination, you know you need a pretty strong cast of characters to pull it off. Hilton Head Preparatory School performing arts students are up to the challenge and are taking to the stage with their interpretation of the longest-running off-Broadway show, Little Shop of Horrors. Leading the charge is Hilton Head Prep’s performing arts director Ben Wolfe, who says the goal of his second performance at Prep is to let the students take the lead in all aspects of
Arti cle b y Courtne y H a mpson
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Photogra phy by Anne
ic
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Billy Best as Orin Scrivello, DDS gives a relaxing dental adjustment to a willing patient, Seymour (Taylor Calamari)
Little Shop is a quirky, dark comedy, and not a production you typically see on a high school marquee. And casting a show is always a challenge; matching talent with characters is like playing human Jenga. As the narrators of the show, Helen Cardamone, Hannah Simpson and Clara Chalk give the audience a wink and a smile that lets us know that they know something we don’t.
production. Wolfe admittedly enjoys watching his students bloom (pun intended). When he was young, Wolfe would coordinate elaborate stage productions featuring his action figures. He would create sets, rehearse repeatedly and invite the entire family to the production. This is what we call foreshadowing. So it is no coincidence that Wolfe landed the leadership role at Prep before he even had his diploma in hand. Wolfe grew up in the small town of Sandersville, Georgia, where he had to drive 45 minutes one-way to participate in community theatre—a commitment he made to his passion at an early age. When he headed to Armstrong Atlantic State University, he made another serious commitment: choosing theatre as his major and entering a program that produced 12 shows a year. His devotion paid off, and Wolfe was the first student to ever have full responsibility for a main stage musical at Armstrong. As his senior year neared the end, Wolfe applied for and was offered the position at Prep and was able to hit the ground running upon graduation. At Prep, you’ll find Wolfe in the classroom (with a full teaching schedule) and backstage. With the coined phrase, “We’ll figure it out,” Wolfe is notably calm in the face of show-time chaos. “I don’t panic, I don’t get upset, and I rarely yell,” he said. This is one reason his students are so fond of him. Senior Clara Chalk said, “I have been inspired by so many talented mentors, but Mr. Wolfe has introduced me
to the organic aspects of the arts. We build our own sets and design our own show. There’s a fresh sense of pride that we find in performing a show that we constructed ourselves. I greatly appreciate the positive attitude and inspiring dedication that he has brought to our program.” Wolfe truly puts the show in the hands of the students. And, one glance around their workshop and rehearsal space clearly shows that egos must be checked at the door. Students are working diligently to make this show come to life, and that includes sewing the massive roots and vines that are required to make the largest plant come to life. According to Wolfe, one of the most exciting elements of student participation is the choreography by Prep senior and veteran dancer, Caroline Santorum and the return (from last year’s school production of Grease) of senior Morgan Simmons, who takes another turn as stage manager. For the first time, a student, sophomore Will Crotty, will serve as the production’s assistant director. Wolfe said, “Will, who is an aspiring film critic, came to me last year and expressed an interest in helping with the production. I knew immediately that his knowledge of film and film history would play perfectly into this 1950s horror spoof.” Little Shop is a quirky, dark comedy, and not a production you typically see on a high school marquee. And casting a show is always a challenge; matching talent with characters is like playing human Jenga. But Wolfe touts the standout talent that has come together to make this show work.
Mr. Mushnik (Cameron Stewart) spends more time chasing Winos (Cameron Stratton) away from his down-on-it’sluck Florist Shop than actually prepping orders. Unfortunately, these days it seems he’s chased away the customers as well.
The show centers on down-andout skid row floral assistant, Seymour Krelborn, played by Prep sophomore and stage veteran, Taylor Calamari, who discovers the exotic, blood-craving plant. Cast members include Prep sophomore Alli Kenneweg who fills the role of Audrey, a sweet, vulnerable, and insecure version of a “dumb blond.” Kenneweg said, “Having the role of Audrey is really a lot of fun. She is such a sweet character, and it is fun to get to act like a dumb blond but still be so sweet and genuine.” Junior Cameron Stewart and sophomore Billy Best fill the roles of Mr. Mushnick and Orin, respectively. Eighth grader Hannah Simpson and sophomore Helen Cardamone join Clara Chalk as a trio of teenage street urchins who provide a running commentary on the action. Chalk said, “We rely on each other for character development, line delivery, and keeping up with the three-part harmony that we sing for the entire show.” Ensemble members include seniors Crystal Fialkowski, Kelly Ryan and Cameron Stratton, junior Adam Oppenheimer, sophomores Gracie Anderson and Kelsey Izzillo, and freshman Forest Richardson. The dedication of this cast of characters is evidenced by the hours of time and talent they devote to each other, the show and the performing arts program. Lights out. Curtain up.
IF YOU GO When: November 4 & 6 at 7 p.m.; November 7 at 2 p.m. Where: Hilton Head Island High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Center Tickets: hhprep.org.
Santa Fe Café Tapping the Source ARTICLE By Mark Kreuzwieser
B
eauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but authenticity is always judged with the highest level of objectivity. Thus, would the co-owners and chefs at Santa Fe Café saddle up, hitch their wagons and point their noses west for the City of Santa Fe in New
Mexico. Co-owners Marshall Sampson and Sean Crosby will travel across country to sample the recipes of authentic Southwestern restaurants and mine the cultural and social fabric that makes up the unique style of Mexican/American Indian cuisine. You could say they’ll be getting sand in their cowboy boots so that they may rustle up new and fresh ideas for their own little slice of Southwestern cooking here on Hilton Head Island. “You don’t find many genuine Southwestern restaurants on the East Coast,” said Sampson, a near-native of Hilton Head and a music business graduate of Appalachian State University. “I can think of only two in all of Atlanta, and they’re more Mexicanbased and commercial.” “In Santa Fe, there’s authentic Southwestern on every street, on every corner,” added Crosby, the restaurant’s head of kitchen; Sampson oversees the front of the restaurant and the business end. The Santa Fe expedition, consisting of Sampson, Crosby, three other chefs and the bar manager, is set for late November through early December, a total of about six days, during which the restaurant will be closed. On the spicy sabbatical’s itinerary are dinners and lunches at a dozen restaurants and visits to wineries, galleries, museums and historic sites. The posse also will stop in at the acclaimed Santa Fe School of Cooking and take a school-guided tour of four of Santa Fe’s most prized Southwestern restaurants. When they’re not eating, shopping, tasting wines or riding horses (yep, that’s on the agenda too), Sampson and crew will
be “looking for anything we can incorporate into our menus, to help us create new specialties,” he said. “We think this will be important experience that will help us retain the essence of what makes our restaurant unique. “You can get some of [the knack for Southwestern cooking] in books or on TV, but nothing beats [being] in the heart of it.” For the uninitiated, Southwestern cuisine is a combination of Mexican and American Indian cooking, relying heavily on the chili peppers that are native to New Mexico (red and green), blue corn, stacked enchiladas and sopapillas, a fried flour-based bread. Though many foodies may think ‘hot and spicy’ when contemplating Southwestern, Sampson and his chefs believe that technique, preparation and a dizzying combination of food and spices conjure up the best in this cuisine. “It’s unique in that we combine the hottest peppers with spice or food that is sweet to come up with a special meal,” he said. “We don’t burn people’s palates; we open them to a lot of flavor that is possible in endless combinations.” Perhaps that explains Santa Fe Café’s signature dinner, grouper—by many accounts the finest on the island. In Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, not the café in Hilton Head’s Plantation Center, our bravos will visit at least two meccas of fine Southwestern dining. “But we’re also looking for the ‘mom and pop’ restaurants,” Sampson said. “We want to get down to the roots, the basics, and anyway, some of the best Southwestern you’ll find is at the little holein-the-wall restaurants.” Sampson emphasizes that they’re not aiming to ride into Santa Fe and gallop out with satchels full of purloined recipes like a bunch of low-down rustlers, but to learn authentic and age-old techniques and ingredient combinations and apply them to their own creative ideas and abilities.
When they’re not eating, shopping, tasting wines or riding horses (yep, that’s on the agenda too), Sampson and crew will be “looking for anything we can incorporate into our menus, to help us create new specialties.” “We sure aren’t out to rip anyone off,” he laughed. “Whatever we are able to bring back,” added Crosby, “we’ll give it our own style, our own flair.” So, come December 10 when Santa Fe Café reopens after the New Mexico trek, customers can look forward to a rejuvenated restaurant and a staff inspired by the cuisine unique to the “Land of Enchantment.” One thing’s for sure, patrons will see new menu offerings, as Sampson, Crosby and crew try specials based on what they learn and find in Santa Fe, Sampson said. “Then we’ll see what our customers like.” Santa Fe Café is located at 807 William Hilton Parkway in Plantation Center, near the entrance of Palmetto Dunes. Hours are lunch, Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner nightly from 5 to 10 p.m. Special features include live music with Reymundo Elias Wednesdays through Saturdays, a roof-top dining area, and a chef’s cooking counter. For information or reservations, call (843) 7853838 or visit santafecafeofhiltonhead.com.
Pet Rocks
Article by David Tobias
I’ve always wondered who ate the first
oyster.
Captain Woody’s Oyster roast - Palmetto Bay Marina November 6, February 5 and March 5. The Bluffton event is a bit more family focused and runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with inflatable slides and jumping castles for the kids. A date in February is yet to be determined.
H
ow does someone see something so seemingly inedible—a sharp clump of rocks, essentially, with all kinds of intricate terrain features, and think, “Yup, there’s gotta be something good to eat in there.” It’s not even clear there’s anything “in there.” But, you can just imagine this Neanderthal scratching his head and thinking, “If I just poke around long enough with a sharp, stubby, uh, knife, I just might find a hinge which, with a twist, will let me in to find… a gelatinous blob of goo that’s slurpable and quite tasty.” Yeah, sure, that’s what he was thinking. Amazing. Whichever way it happened, we who have discovered the wonder of oysters— through friends or lost bets—and love them in all their many forms, fashions and preparations, are the lucky beneficiaries of that knuckle-dragging pioneer who was obviously pretty darn hungry.
If you happen to be hungry for oysters of the roasted variety, the best place to be on November 6, February 5 and March 5 is at Captain Woody’s in the Palmetto Bay Marina on Hilton Head Island and in midFebruary at their new location, just across from Promenade Park in Bluffton. For the Hilton Head Island roasts, this is a slight change from last year, and the last 10 years before that, when Shannon and Russell Anderson, owners of Captain Woody’s, would hold these fundraising oyster roasts the first Saturday of every month, November through March. The Hilton Head Humane Association was the beneficiary—and still will be—it’s just that there now are so many oyster roasts in the region that Shannon and Russell have decided to cut back to three instead of five. Lauren Toombs, who manages the Bluffton Captain Woody’s, says everything else stays the same. The time is still 4-7 p.m. (but arrive early if you want to be sure to get your fill of oysters); the specialized menu remains intact—oysters, of course, but also burgers, hot dogs, homemade soups, including white bean chili, beef chili, clam chowder; and the bar stays open all evening, even after the oysters are long gone. Admission is free and oyster buckets are $10 each. Toombs estimates that a typical Captain Woody’s oyster roast crowd consumes between 25 and 40 boxes of oysters, with 15 buckets per box and about
one-and-a-half to two dozen oysters per bucket. Do the math—that’s a lot of oysters. And a lot of fun, with live music provided by Chris Jones, White Liquor and others. The Bluffton Captain Woody’s will hold its second annual oyster roast in mid-
February, also benefitting the Hilton Head Humane Association. The Bluffton event is a bit more family focused and runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with inflatable slides and jumping castles for the kids. A date in February is yet to be determined. It should come as no surprise that all roasts are dog-friendly. In fact, the Humane Association, which brings a number of pets to play and display, has found homes for several pets at the events. Yet another reason to love oysters and to salute our adventurous ancestors.
What you need to
know
about November 2010
To Buy or Rent:
radigm A New Pa
A
shell-shocked Alan Greenspan testified to Congress in the fall of 2009 that a conceptual framework for the economy that had guided him for 40 years had serious flaws and that he was “very distressed by that fact.” It’s times like these that require us to examine even the most basic of tenets. No belief is more basic in the financial world than the belief that owning your own home is the building block to achieving personal economic success. It is at the foundation of the American Dream. For decades, the wisest financial advisors urged us to get into a home as quickly as possible with as little down payment as possible, lock into a long-term fixed mortgage and start building equity. Over our careers, we would keep “trading up” to larger and larger homes until our kids left and we turned into empty nesters. At that point, the equity in our home would become a key component of our retirement funds and we would trade down or cash out much of our equity and move into our smaller retirement home.
Our homes not only gave us personal satisfaction, but our mortgages promoted “forced savings” and served as a great inflation hedge. Somewhere along the line, of course, all this sage advice went on steroids, and our homes were no longer seen as just piggy banks, but veritable ATM’s. We sucked our equity out of them every chance we got through cash-out refinancing and home equity lines (HELOCs). We started to see our homes as our best “investment,” not just a place to live. And then the real estate market bubble popped and we found ourselves in a whole new financial world. For those of us who are already homeowners, the effects of the real estate collapse are just a reality we have to live with. If we are underwater on our mortgages, we have options ranging from sucking it up and dutifully making our contractual payments to short sales to personal bankruptcy. Those issues are very real, but what I want to focus on is the real estate “virgin” who’s trying to make the life-changing decision of whether or not to go from being a renter to a homeowner. What advice, for instance, should you, as a parent of a young adult, give vis-à-vis homeownership?
First of all, let’s all agree that the decision is no longer a positive no-brainer. Agreeing to that is step one, and frankly, that’s a BIG step—a dramatic paradigm shift from the days of Beaver Cleaver. Now, step two is to figure out what parameters to consider in order to make a wise buy vs. rent decision. Non-financial considerations Renter advantages: • Limited liability. In general, you are on the hook for your monthly rent and maybe utilities, plus your security deposit. That’s it. If the place burns down, you move (Free advice: make sure you get renter’s insurance—it’s cheap.) • Mobility/Freedom. Once the lease is over, you can move out anytime you want. Renter disadvantages: • Landlord. You essentially have a boss of your home who can tell you what you can or can’t do with your living quarters. So, call this “lack of freedom.” • Lack of control. In general, you have less control over your living environment as a renter; e.g. if you have a problem with your homeowner’s association, you’ll probably have to go to your landlord to get it fixed. Owner advantages: • Freedom and control. You can generally do whatever
you want to the inside of your home and, within reason and subject to covenants, a great deal to the outside as well. Plus, you’ve got a voting seat at the table when your homeowner’s association meets. • More choices/Better locations. Many desirable neighborhoods in the Hilton Head/Bluffton area have a very limited selection of rental opportunities. Owner disadvantages: • Total liability. It’s your property and you are responsible for EVERYTHING. Welcome to the world of homeowner’s insurance (make sure you’re covered for wind and hail and flood as well as fire) and homeowner association fees. The refrigerator goes on the fritz—your problem and your expense. This is a major step up the responsibility ladder from life as a renter. • Lack of mobility. If you decide to or, more likely, circumstances require you to move, you’ll have to do something with your home. You can’t just do the renter thing, i.e. give a month’s notice and say “bye-bye.” A young couple trying to
make the own-versus-rent decision needs to focus hard on this issue; it’s not quite at the same level as the having-the-baby decision, but it’s probably above the level of should-we-get-a-dog. Financial considerations Renter advantages = owner disadvantages • No equity risk. The real estate market collapsed in 2006 and, per Zillow. com, the value of homes on Hilton Head has decreased about 50 percent since that date. “Ho hum” says the renter. “Not my problem.” Renter disadvantages = owner advantages No equity reward. If the real • estate market recovers, the renter will just get stuck with higher rent. No tax deductions: Some states • actually do allow renter-related tax deductions, but not South Carolina (call your representatives). At the federal level, homeowners get a whole slew of
tax incentives from mortgage interest deduction to credits for adding energysaving material to their homes. UNCLE SAM WANTS YOU TO BUY A HOME! So, should our “virgin” homeowner buy? The answer depends first and foremost on whether he/she is up to the responsibility of accepting the total liability of homeownership mentioned above. If the answer is yes, then the question is not if, but when. Is NOW the time to take the plunge? Many personal financial pundits say yes. Prices for homes have, as noted, dropped substantially, and homes are effectively on sale for 30 to 50 percent off 2006 prices. At the same time, mortgage interest rates are at historic lows—between 4.5-5 percent on a 30-year fixed mortgage. That’s an amazing bargain! Think about it. You can quite reasonably expect to pay $350,000 today for a home that in 2006 would have cost $500,000. Assuming a 20 percent down payment in both cases and rates of 6 percent then and 4.5 percent now, the monthly payments for principal
and interest would have gone from $2,998 in 2006 to $1,773 today—a savings of 40 percent. So, time to jump in? Maybe. While it is doubtful that mortgage interest rates will go much lower, home prices could still decrease significantly. Nobody knows for sure. What’s of more concern is that, whether prices have hit bottom or not, there is still lots of housing inventory on the market, and the time it takes to sell a home keeps getting longer and longer—which leads us to the most important factor in the rent vs. buy decision: time. Like virtually all asset classes, the average return on homes will be positive over the long run. Even though prices have dropped dramatically in the last few years, you still would have made money on a Hilton Head home (on average, per Zillow. com) if you had purchased your home prior to 2002. As a shortterm bet, buying a home is a gamble, but over the long run, it will probably be a decent asset to own and will provide shelter to boot (Ask that of your 401K!). So, if you plan to stay put for 5-10 years or more, buying a home makes more sense. But, what if I have to move? Of course, the best laid plans can often go totally awry. Job relocation, marriage, divorce, etc., can mean that you will be forced to move and obliged to do something with your home. Instead of sticking your head in the sand, you need, as with any investment, to think about your exit strategy BEFORE you close on your new home.
One strategy would be to sell, but, in that event, not only are you at the mercy of the market, but, between brokerage fees and other costs, you are also going to incur around 6 to 10 percent of the sale price in closing costs. If this should happen a short time after your purchase, you are probably going to take a substantial financial hit. Another strategy would be to rent your home to someone else. My advice, if your “virgin” homebuyer is looking to assess his/her financial home-buying risk, is to compare the home’s potential rental numbers to the amount of the mortgage payment. If the two are fairly close, then this will give him/her an alternative exit strategy that will substantially cut the risk of homeownership. Bottom line There are a number of calculators available online to make rent vs. buy decisions, but all require you make assumptions about future prices, inflation, etc. My advice is to keep it simple: Buy if you are ready to accept the responsibility— financially and emotionally—of homeownership; you think the combination of lower home prices and low mortgage interest rates is pretty much at an optimum level; you PLAN on staying put for five years or longer; and you have a viable exit strategy if that plan doesn’t work out. Otherwise, keep renting. To comment or for more information, e-mail lewwessel@ hargray.com.
THE LOCALS INDEX YOUR TOOL FOR FINDING THE BEST DISCOUNTS IN TOWN
EATS SWEETS & SPIRITS 9 Promenade, p. 27 Promenade in Bluffton, 706-9994 See Ad For Details Antonio’s Fine Dining, p. 63 Village At Wexford, 842-5505 See Ad For Details Aunt Chilada’s Easy Street Cafe, p. 116 (Back Cover) 69 Pope Avenue, 785-7700 See Ad For Details Asian Bistro, p. 21 New Orleans Rd., 843-686-7665 20% Off Sushi Callahan's, p. 78 51 New Orleans, 843-686-9888 10% Off Food Captain Woody’s, p. 43 Palmetto Bay Marina, 785-2400, 10% Off Food Catch 22, p. 60 Orleans Plaza, 785-6261 10% Off Dinner Chocolate Canopy, Ltd., p. 27 Palmetto Bay Rd, 842-4567 10% Off Non-Sale Items (with minimum purchase) Cookies By Design, p. 27 Sea Turtle Cinemas, 706-9505 15% Off Any Purchase with CH2 Card CQ’s Restaurant, p. 120 Harbour Town, 671-2779 See Ad For Details The Electric Piano, p. 31 Park Plaza, 785-5397 10% Off With CH2 Card Fancy Q: Sushi Bar & Grill, p. 29 435 William Hilton Pkwy, Northridge Plaza, Unit G 843-342-6626 10% Off with your CH2 Card Island Bagel Company, p. 89 South Island Square (Hilton Head), 843-686-3353 Sheridan Park (Bluffton), 843-815-5300 20% Off Next Bill Jocks Blufftons Sports Bar and Grill, p. 33 95 Baylor Dr. (Publix Shopping Center) Bluffton, 815-7474 See Ad For Details Jump & Phil’s Bar and Grill, p. 43 Hilton Head Plaza, 785-9070 10% Off Food Kingfisher, p. 29 Shelter Cove Marina, 785-4442 10% Off Food
SHOPS BOUTIQUES & MORE Doncaster / Tanner Outlet, p. 112 Pineland Station- 689.6494 25% Off Any Single Item Great Frame Up, p. 90 Belfair Towne Village, 815-4661 20% Off Moulding with Full Custom Framing
Market Street Café, p. 109 Coligny Plaza, 686-4976 10% Off Entire Check Mellow Mushroom Pizza, p. 109 Park Plaza, 686-2474 10% Off Nick's Steak & Seafood, p. 51 9 Park Lane, 686-2920 Buy 1 Meal, Get 1 FREE Ocean Grille, p. 108 1 Shelter Cove, 843-785-3030 See Ad For Details Old Fort Pub, p. 6 Hilton Head Plantation, 681-2386 See Ad For Details Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe, p. 27 Palmetto Bay Marina, 686-3232 10% Off Monday-Friday Parrot Cove, p. 68 Waterside at Shelter Cove Harbour, 341-3500 10% Off with Celebrate Card Pino Gelatio, p. 53 1000 William Hilton Parkway, 842-2822 $3 Off Gelato Cake Reilley’s Grill & Bar, p. 116 (Back Cover) Hilton Head Plaza, 842-4414, Port Royal Plaza, 681-4153 See Ad For Details Riptide Liquor & Fine Wines, p. 90 50 Burnt Church Road, 757-6344 95 Baylor Drive, 757-7404 10% Off with Celebrate Card or w/ Coupon Salty Dog Cafe, p. 19 See Ad For Details San Miguels, p. 51 Shelter Cove Marinia, 842-4555 See Ad For Details Skillets Café, p. 58 Coligny Plaza, 785-3131 10% Off any $6.95 (or more) purchase Smokehouse, p. 25 34 Palmetto Bay Road, 843-4227 $12 Domestic Beer Buckets Stu's Subs, p. 109 Coligny Plaza, 686-SURF (7873) 10% Off Wild Wing Cafe, p. 5 Hilton Head - 843-785-9464 or Bluffton - 837-9453 See Ad For Details Wise Guys, p. 11 1513 Main Street, 842-8866 See Ad For Details
Luciana, p. 84 37 New Orleans Rd., Ste. C, 684-5620 10% Off Palmettoes, p. 35 71 Lighthouse Road, Ste., 414, 363-6800 See Ad For Details Sports Addiction, p. 89 Sheridan Park, 843-815-8281 10% Off Next 1 Item Purchase Tail-Waggers, p. 90 Coligny Plaza, 686-3707 10% Off Purchase, Excluding Cat & Dog Food Tanger Outlets, p. 4 FREE Summer Savings Shopping Card (Must Show Ad)
SERVICES AAA Overhead Door, p. 79 842-3667, www.aaaoverheaddoor.com See Ad For Details Advanced Automotive & Towing, p. 43 5 Power Alley, 681-9278 10% Off Any Vehicle Repair American Paving Designs, p. 16 843-706-PAVE (7283), www.AmericanPavingDesigns.com 20% Off Next Project American Wood Reface, p. 107 40 Pennington Drive, Suite C, Sherridan Park 843-815-6700, $500 Instant Discount AutoSpa, p. 91 30 Palmetto Bay Road, 842-2001 $25 Off Any Service - See Ad For Details Beachside Tire & Auto, p. 16 26 Hunter Rd., 342-7876 $50 Off - See Ad For Details Brooke’s Bed & Biscuit, p. 105 25 Buck Island Road, 757-PETS (7387) Receive A Free Toenail Clipping Bug Busters, p. 72 1-800-633-0694 10% Off All All Initial Services Celebration Events Catering, p. 36 689-7526, Call For Details Covert Aire, p. 6 706-5090, See Ad for Details E.A.C., p. 77 681-3999, See Ad For Details EnergyOne, p. 51 815-9931, www.energyfoam.com See Ad For Details Epperson Heating & Air, p. 78 843-681-9297, See Ad For Details Fastteks, p. 27 682-4744, www.fastteks.com 10% Off Foundation Reality, p. 73 www.HiltonHeadRealEstates.com, 686-4002 See Ad For Details Foskey Heating & Air, p. 107 1 Promenade Street, Suite 102 681-HEAT (4328), See Ad For Details The Green Thumb, p. 71 Hwy. 278 at Burnt Church Road, 757-9550 See Ad For Details Island Car Wash, p. 110 Hwy. 278, 785-9274, Kitties Crossings, 815-4666 - $5 Off Gold Wash Isle Of Paws, p. 53 341-DOGS (3647), www.isleofpaws.com See Ad For Details LowCountry Kitchen & Bath, p. 97 1 Mathews Drive, Suite 105, 689-2124 or 247-5000 10% Discount Mattress Firm, p. 9 1172 Fording Island Road 837-FIRM (3476), See Ad For Details Reel Screens, p. 25 422-1789, Free In-Home Demonstration William Byrd Custom Homebuilders, p. 64 386 Spanish Wells Road, Suite B3, 686-4166 or 686-4176 Call For A Complimentary Consultation
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HEALTH FITNESS & BEAUTY Circle Of Health, p. 27 Sheridan Park Village, 815-2060 See Ad For Details Coolidge Plastic Surgery, p. 68 208-2808 See Ad For Details Core Pilates, pg. 88 32 Office Park Road, Suite 306, 681-4267 Courtyard Building 10% Off Workout Wear & Skin Care Products Dr. Liz Shelly, p. 43 Red Cedar St., 837-5553 FREE New Patient Exam
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Faces Day Spa, p. 111 The Village at Wexford, 785-3075 See Ad For Details Heavenly Spa by Westin, p. 53 2 Grasslawn Ave., Port Royal Plantation, 681-1019 See Ad For Details Hilton Head Dental, p. 89 400 Merchant Street, 681-6200 16 Wm. Pope Drive, 705-7675 See Ad For Details Hilton Head Regional Hospital, pg. 13 877-582-2737 Call and Receive a Free Physican Directory Optical Solutions, p. 57 North-Island, 843-681-6682 or 843-681-8188 Mid-Island, 843-785-8008 See Ad For Details The Sanctuary - A European Day Spa, p. 27 Park Plaza, 843.842.5999 See Ad For Details Stephens Pharmacy, p. 113 2 Marshland Rd. in the HH Health & Wellness Building, 686-3735 See Ad For Details Total Exposure, p. 84 1-E New Orleans Rd., 842-9156 10% Off
ACTIVITIES Dolphin Head Golf Course, p. 89 56 High Bluff Rd., 681-5550, ext. 222 See Ad For Details Lowcountry Golf Cars, p. 33 649 N. Okatie Highway, 987-8272 See Ad For Details
Mulligan's Golf Balls & More, p. 33 102 Buckwalter Pkwy, 815-2621 Pro V1 - $19.95 for 12 / Custom Cornhole Boards See Ad for Details North Ridge Cinema, p. 43 342-3800 See Ad For Details Quality Golf Cars, p. 33 212 Okatie Village Drive, Bluffton, 705-6655 Huge Battery Sale - See Ad For Details
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