Beaufort Lifestyle February March 2017

Page 1

B EAUFORT, P ORT R OYAL A ND T HE S EA I SLANDS

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

11th Annual

BEAUFORT INTERNATONAL FILM FESTIVAL


JOIN US FOR THIRD THURSDAYS Enjoy Third Thursday’s With Us! Macdonald

MarketPlace FROGMORE South Carolina • 1877 •

Each Third Thursday We Will Feature One Of Our Local Vendors 5 PM - 7 PM Lite Refreshments

HOME AND GARDEN • ART • ANTIQUES • FURNITURE • ACCESSORIES • JEWELRY • FLOWERS • PREPARED FOODS • INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES

853 Sea Island Parkway FROGMORE Saint Helena Island, SC 29920 843-838-1810

OPEN Tuesday - Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM Closed Sunday and Monday


3,4,5 Bedroom

Charleston Style Living starting at

$195,900

843.441.0668 PalmettoPlace.com


CONTRIBUTORS

Cindy Reid

Mary Ellen Thompson

Cindy Reid has been published in About Town, skirt!, Salon.com and The Coastal Mariner. A graduate of Mills College in Oakland, CA, she spent most of her career working with authors in the retail book business before becoming one herself. She has a daughter who lives in the state of Washington. A native of New York’s Hudson Valley, she now makes her home on St. Helena Island.

Mary Ellen Thompson has never met a train, boat or plane that she didn’t like ~ they represent travel and adventures, two of her most favorite things. Having started life on Philadelphia’s Main Line, she’s lived in houses and on boats on the Chesapeake Bay, New York, Florida, England, France, and now Beaufort. She finds the most secret locavore restaurants, the best dive bars, and the most charming little hotels. When Mary Ellen’s at home, she loves being with her friends, entertaining, listening to the marsh, and her silly cats. Best of all, she loves her son in Denver, her daughter in New York, and her great friend and editor, Meredith, in PA.

Susan Deloach Susan Deloach was born Susan Bessinger in Beaufort, where she still resides with her husband, Larry, and sons Hudson and Tucker. Susan has a gift for capturing the personality and unique essence of her subject whether on location or in the studio. Her portraits are as diverse as the personalities of the people she photographs - some are edgy, some joyful, but all have one thing in common: the sensitive, skilled and thoughtful approach of the artist behind the camera.

John Wollwerth

John Wollwerth is a photographer raised in New York, now living in Beaufort. He specializes in wedding and commercial photography, with additional background in portrait and stock photography. His work has appeared in such publications as The Washington Post, the Minneapolis Tribune, Coastal Living and South Carolina Homes and Gardens. John is involved with the Photography Club of Beaufort and the Professional Photographer of South Carolina. He lives with his wife and three children.

Carol Lauvray

Carol Lauvray relocated from Ohio to Beaufort in 2011 to enjoy the pristine coastal beauty of the Lowcountry and this friendly, welcoming community. In Beaufort, Carol’s found more than a home--she’s found the ideal place to pursue her passions for history and writing. She became a docent for the Beaufort History Museum in 2013 and now serves as the President of the Museum’s Board of Directors. Carol has more than 20 years of experience in writing marketing communications and holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Communication from Ohio University. Her daughter Cristin and son-in-law Kevin live near Columbus, Ohio.

Paul Nurnberg Paul Nurnberg, whose studio is in Beaufort, SC, specializes in architectural and lifestyle advertising photography. He photographs a variety of subjects including people, products, food, nature and travel for ad agencies, large corporations and magazines. Local clients include Beaufort Memorial Hospital, The Vegetable Kingdom and Swanky J Boutique. Other clients include JCB, (UK/Savannah), Johnson Matthey, Parker’s Markets and Stertil­Koni. Paul also teaches photography and camera classes and one on one lessons to individuals. He just finished a two-year term as president of the SC chapter of the American Society of Media Photographers

SUBSCRIBE

Make sure you never miss a copy of Beaufort’s only full-color lifestyle magazine. Sign-up online at Beaufortlifestyle.com

FOLLOW US

on Facebook. Check-out our Facebook page and keep up with the exciting things happening in Beaufort. You’ll find us at Beaufort Lifestyle.

TWEET

We’re on twitter!

INSTAGRAM

Follow us on Instagram to see behind the scene photos from our articles! Tag your own Beaufort photos with our tag #BeaufortLifestyle!

WRITE US

Write to us and tell us what you think. Beaufort Lifestyle welcomes all letters to the publisher. Please send all letters via email to Julie Hales at julie@idpmagazines.com. Letters to the editor must have a phone number and name of contact. Phone numbers will not be published.

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS

Beaufort Lifestyle welcomes story ideas from our readers. If you have a story idea or photo essay you would like to share, please submit ideas and material by emailing Julie Hales at julie@idpmagazines.com. Stories or ideas for stories must be submitted by email. Only feature stories and photo essays about people, places or things in Beaufort, Port Royal or the Sea Islands will be considered.

www.beaufortlifestyle.com 04 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com


䰀漀甀椀猀 䌀漀猀琀愀 䤀䤀䤀Ⰰ 䐀䴀䐀 䄀氀瘀椀渀 䠀⸀ 䐀愀渀攀渀戀攀爀最Ⰰ 䐀䐀匀 䨀愀礀 刀⸀ 䘀爀椀攀搀洀愀渀Ⰰ 䐀䐀匀 刀椀挀栀愀爀搀 䘀⸀ 倀漀爀挀攀氀氀椀Ⰰ 䐀䐀匀 吀愀礀氀漀爀 吀甀爀渀攀爀Ⰰ 䐀䐀匀


CONTENTS

February/March 2017

features

10 The Behind The Scenes Beaufort International Film Festival

16 A Village of Volunteers 22 A Loyal Audience 28 Daughters of The Dust 34 The Mystery of The Movie Trailer Explained

departments

09 Publisher’s Thoughts 37 Let’s Do Business 40 Dining Feature 41 Real Estate

06 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com


Beaufort’s Newest Lunch Spot Monday - Thursday 11am-3pm Friday and Saturday 11am-8pm Closed on Sunday (843) 521-5091 2149 Boundary St. • Beaufort

“The Freshest Local Seafood In Town”

From Our Boats To Your Table FRESH SEAFOOD MARKET

Sea Eagle Market

CJ Seafood Express

2149 Boundary St. (843) 521-5090

1421 Ribaut Road (843) 986-0245

Monday - Saturday 9am-6pm

www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | February/March 2017

07


More

You Asked For ...We Are Bringing You

• • • • •

More!

More Local Features More Local Happenings More Local Talent More Local History More Local Lifestyle

You Spoke...We Listened!

Beaufort Lifestyle Goes Monthly! Starting April, 2017

www.BeaufortLifestyle.com (843) 379-8696

08 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com


P U B L I S H E R ’ S Thoughts

Exciting news for Beaufort Lifestyle Julie Hales owner/publisher julie@idpmagazines.com Lane Gallegos graphic design lane@idpmagazines.com Lea Allen administrative assistant/circulation lea@idpmagazines.com

Beaufort Lifestyle is proudly produced by:

Next month will mark our 11th year in business. Independence Day Publishing was founded in March of 2006. Beaufort Lifestyle is the fourth publication in the IDP family, launching in October of 2009, and a few others have come since then. We have certainly enjoyed the last seven and a half years of bringing you Beaufort Lifestyle. The people of Beaufort have been so welcoming to our entire team, very supportive and loyal. We appreciate each of you. Many of you have asked for more. When will you have more issues, when will you feature more people, when can we see more artists, when will you give us some history features, when will you have a community calendar, when will you start printing our Julie Hales, PUBLISHER press releases.... The list goes on and on....more, More, MORE! Well, MORE is here. This issue will serve as our last bi-monthly edition. Beginning in April, Beaufort Lifestyle will become a monthly publication. This is some very exciting news for us at Beaufort Lifestyle. We are thrilled to be able to make this announcement. We will be going form 6 issues per year to 12 issues per year! We are super stoked! There will be a lot of changes along the way...and you will see many of those in our very next issue. We are planning on implementing as many of those changes in April as possible...with others to follow. Beaufort Lifestyle is the first publication in the IDP family to be taken monthly! Can you think of a better place to start? We couldn’t. So, for all of you loyal advertisers and readers, let us know what you want to see in Beaufort Lifestyle. Do you have a story idea? Do you have a special section you would like to see? We certainly welcome your input. Please feel free to email any ideas to me at julie@idpmagazines.com. I can’t wait to see your ideas!

One Beaufort Town Center 2015 Boundary Street, Suite 221 Beaufort, SC 29902 (843) 379-8696

CIRCULATION: Beaufort Lifestyle is publlished bi-monthly (six issues a year), printing 15,000 copies and distributed to over 200 locations. Reproduction in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

B EAUFORT, P ORT R OYAL A ND T HE S EA I SLANDS

ABOUT THE COVER FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

11th Annual

BEAUFORT INTERNATONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The Beaufort International Film Festival will be held February 15-19. We are honored to have been a part of this great festival over our last seven years. Take a look at the past Film Festival covers....bring back memories? Be sure to get your tickets...you don’t want it!

www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | February/March 2017

09


BEHIND THE SCENES AT Beaufort International Film Festival

story by mary ellen thomspon photography by susan deloach

What happens behind the scenes at the Beaufort International Film Festival (BIFF)? Ron and Rebecca Tucker, President and Vice-President respectively of the Beaufort Film Society which produces BIFF, are the driving force behind this festival and give us a glimpse of how it works.

L

et’s start with how the films get into the festival. The filmmakers choose the festivals which they want to enter; BIFF puts a call out for entries for the next year right after each festival ends in February. There are four deadlines: early bird, regular, late and extended; with each deadline the entry fee increases. There are two ways that filmmakers know to submit films and one is word of mouth, the other is “FilmFreeway.” FilmFreeway is a company that advertises festivals, almost 5,000 this year, and the filmmakers can submit to those festivals right on the website. Ron explains, “It’s sort of like an on-line dating site for festivals and filmmakers. We’re pitching our festival so it has to look like fun and at the same time, have a high level of respect. There are festivals that show one to two hundred films in different venues and at the same times. This year we will be showing forty films and ours are all at University of South Carolina Center for the Arts (USCB) so there are no time conflicts.” The next step is selection. Ron says, “We’re picky, more so than even Sundance; we’re truly Indie.” With 300 entries this year, Ron and Rebecca were busy watching films and getting them narrowed down to the forty finalists (not including the Indie Grants films that run Saturday afternoon).They have a panel of eleven judges who help with the selection process, but Ron and Rebecca are the only ones who watch all the film submissions. The categories are: Student, Short, Animation, Documentary, Feature and Screenplay. The judges have access to the films based on what they are judging - the technical, content, impact and festival fit. There is diversity among the judges; Ron and Rebecca want people who are in the business and from all over, so one lives in Italy, two in

10 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com

Los Angeles, one a Disney producer, some are past time winners, two are actresses. They are given films based on their specialties. For instance a digital animation instructor is a judge in the Animation category only, a past winner for a Documentary is a juror in that category, same with a juror for Shorts, two only judge Screenplays. Ron explains that “The remaining jurors are ‘at large’ and judge all categories. With the exception of Animation and Screenplays, the scores from all the judges are used in the final scoring.” When the films are accepted, the filmmaker receives notification from FilmFreeway but also a personal call from Ron. “We want them to feel special so we thank them for submitting, and for trusting us with their work.” Part of the process is considering time; this year they have concentrated on shorter films. There will be six features and five documentaries among the forty films. In scheduling, everything is considered - the time of day the film is playing, if the filmmaker is coming to the festival, the question and answer events, time to go to the rest room, time to get a bite to eat, and time to see some daylight. The festival kicks off on Wednesday evening with the Opening Ceremony. On Thursday, there are twelve films and the Screenwriters Reception and Workshop in the evening. On Friday, there are sixteen films starting at 9 a.m. and running until 11 p.m. And, on Saturday there are twelve films ending in the evening with Daughters of the Dust and a panel discussion afterwards. The Awards Ceremony is Sunday evening. Including the Screenwriters Reception and Workshop, that’s thirty nine hours of films in three days. And it’s amazing that there are so many people who stay for many, if not all, of those thirty nine hours. Last year, attendees came from thirty-seven states and four countries, including seventy filmmakers from around the world.


www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | February/March 2017

11


Among the audience are many of the participants in the films - the filmmakers, directors, producers, actors and actresses. Everything that can be done to make the filmmakers and cast and crew comfortable is taken into consideration. One of the things that makes BIFF so successful is that many of the alumni come back over and over again - if not with another film they’ve made, then as actors (Kathryn Grant produced a movie one year, acted in one another year and will attend this year, just because; Gary Weeks, actor, writer and director, who for a change doesn’t have a film in this festival, will be here as a presenter; VW Scheich and Uyen Le have submitted two films and a screenplay; Margaret Ford Rogers has attended with her screenplays for eight of the eleven years, including this year; and these are only a few of the participants who just can’t stay away), or simply for the fun of it. Other perks are that alumni never pay an entry fee for the festival again and this year a VIP lounge will be set up in the lobby at USCB where certain level sponsors, and filmmakers, can kick back and relax, socialize and schmooze. There is no festival if there is not an audience. We’ve covered timing and the fact that no matter how few, or many, films you watch, a level of physical comfort is necessary. Those comforts are pretty basic - the seats are comfortable, rest rooms are close by, food is provided by the concession stand and box lunches can be ordered for delivery daily. But the excitement is what the buzz is all about - not only the films themselves, and let’s face it - rarely are all forty films going to appeal to every single person. You really don’t know what is coming, the trailer and the synopsis are teasers, and you can be surprised by the film itself in any direction. What makes this festival feel like family is the interaction with the filmmakers, cast and crew, that attend and participate in the questions and answers sessions after the presentation of the film. They are available in the lobby or at the social events, and want to talk to you about their films, get your impressions, your feedback, and share their vision with you. It’s sort of like a collective hug. And just as there is no festival without an audience, there is no festival without all the volunteers who make it run like a Swiss watch. It takes about 100 volunteers over the course of the festival who check people in, bartend at the parties, usher, meet and

greet, sell tickets are backstage hands, and help Debbi Covington with the aspects of catering the super- delicious food at the closing reception. All volunteers are greatly appreciated for whatever time they give. Choosing the awards and their winners is another facet of what goes on behind the scenes. Awards are presented in the following categories: Animation, Documentary, Feature, Student Films, Shorts, Screenplay, Best Comedy and Audience Choice. There are awards for Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Director. Ron explains how the award selection works. “The Best Actress, Best Actor and Best Director are nominated by the first tier jurors during the initial screenings. The top scores from each nominated person are calculated. All ‘Best’ nominations have to come from the Finalist Selections. Those nominated for ‘Best’ categories are scored again by the finalists jurors. The winners are determined by the combined scores from all of the jurors. The Best Comedy and Audience Choice are voted on by the audience. On the first day of the screenings, each audience member is given a ballot. On the front, every film is listed and on the back are those that are designated ‘comedy.’ All votes are turned in after the last screening on Saturday. Votes are counted and then revealed on Awards Night.” This year there will be two additional awards. They are the Robert Smalls Merit and Achievement Award, named for Beaufort’s own Robert Smalls who was a Civil War Hero and United States Congressman, which will be presented to Julie Dash for her extensive groundbreaking work, to include the film Daughters of the Dust. The other is the Behind the Scenes Award which will be presented to filmmaker Brad Jayne. You may visit: www.beaufortfilmfestival.coml.com and click on the “Official Selections 2017” tab to view the nominees for the awards categories as well as see the film synopses and trailers. With all the moving parts assembled and ready to go from behind the scenes, The Beaufort International Film Festival at USCB Center for the Arts is the place to be February 15 - 19. Get your tickets now, join us for the Opening Ceremony and prepare to enjoy the ride right up through the final moments of the Awards Ceremony!

get THE newsletter!

Beaufort Lifestyle News & Notes Beaufort Lifestyle News & Notes is a bi-weekly e-newsletter designed by Beaufort Lifestyle to promote community happenings and events.

Sign up today to receive this great newsletter via email. Keep yourself in the KNOW in Beaufort! One Beaufort Town Center • 2015 Boundary St Suite 311 • Beaufort, SC 29902 (843) 379-8696 www.beaufortlifestyle.com 12 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com


www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | February/March 2017

13


FURNITURE • HOME DECOR • JEWELRY Opening In February

Time to Refresh Your Home for Spring? Need a little bit of inspiration to get started? Check out my page to see the result!

www.akikato.com akikatostudio

Julie Williams Suzanne Kohanski Mary Vaughn (864)314-3799 (843)341-3171 (817)538-6775

At Home AgAin Open 10AM - 4PM Monday - Saturday 1215 Paris Avenue • Port Royal, SC 29935

Artist Aki Kato (843) 263-8712 Email: akikatostudio@gmail.com Call or Email Aki for a free estimate & consultation for Beaufort, Bluffton and Hilton Head area customers!

Sing Pappas

Available, Professional, Experienced Sing@ApexTeamLLC.com

MOBILE: 843-252-2424 OFFICE: 843-321-9204 1503 Paris Avenue

Port Royal, SC, 29935 ForSaleInBeaufort.com

Old Village of

Port Royal

Weichert Realtors Palmetto Coast

Jonathan Green Prints Starting at $25 Antiques & Vintage Items from all Eras 6,500 sq. ft. of FUN!

(843) 524-7256

richardpoore7e@gmail.com

1406 PARIS AVE., PORT ROYAL, SC 29935

MON. - SAT. 10AM - 5PM

14 February/March 2017 | Beaufort Lifestyle

The Frame Shop • Custom Framing • Great Selections To Choose From

(843) 473-9193 930 14th Street, Port Royal, SC 29935 (rear of Consign & Design on Paris Ave.) Thursday & Friday 10am-5pm OR call for an appointment

w w w. o l d v i l l a g e p o r t roya l. co m

HISTORY • SHOPPING • DINING • NATURE

Experience Small Town Charm...


Now Accepting New Patients!

Family. Friendly. Dental. N E W PAT I E N T S P E C I A L

$25 Off

Your First Visit Discount applies only to fees not covered by insurance. No refunds will be given for credit balances resulting from use of this coupon. May not be combined with other discounts/promotions. Must be presented at first visit.

Isaac Hankla, DMD • 35 Robert Smalls Parkway, Suite 103 • Beaufort, SC 29906

(843) 781-8900 • HowardFamilyDental.com HFD141

www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | February/March 2017

15


BEAUFORT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL:

R

A Village of Volunteers story by carol lauvray

photography by susan deloach

on and Rebecca Tucker, founders of the Beaufort International Film Festival (BIFF), rely on volunteers to make the Film Festival a success. “Volunteers have played an integral part from the beginning—all 11 years,” says Rebecca. The Beaufort Film Society is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit, so the organization does not have the luxury of a paid staff. “As Ron and I have discovered, two people cannot pull off the Film Festival. It takes a village—in this case, the Beaufort community!” Rebecca says that originally she was the main coordinator of the Film Festival’s volunteer workforce but it became too much for one person about six years ago, so they put out a call for help. She says they started with one volunteer to help coordinate, but for this year’s Film Festival, about a dozen Key Volunteer Coordinators will help manage the growing number of volunteers required for the Festival. “We are fortunate to have many repeat volunteers who have stepped into the position of Key Volunteer Coordinator and who assist in recruiting and training newbies for the Festival,” she added. According to Rebecca, in 2014 the Festival needed about 60 volunteers, in 2015 approximately 75 volunteers and last year

the Festival required 100 volunteers. But in 2017, about 150 volunteers will be needed, she says. “We decided to double the number of ushers this year, because they will have additional duties during the screenings of the films,” Rebecca stated. “Besides assisting patrons to their seats, they will ensure that the restrooms are orderly and the theater is neat, and count the number who attend each screening.” Most of the volunteer opportunities are three-hour shifts. Volunteers help at the Opening Ceremony for 500 at Tabby Place by collecting tickets, bartending and bussing tables. Film screenings are held at the University of South Carolina, Beaufort Center for the Arts, where volunteers serve as greeters/Zip Code collectors, ticket sellers, ushers and Green Room attendants. At the Awards Ceremony, volunteers collect tickets, bartend, bus tables and pass hors d’oeuvres. To volunteer for the Film Festival, contact Michele Barker at decalverhall@yahoo.com. “Our volunteers keep everything running smoothly at the Beaufort International Film Festival, year after year. The overall positive energy our volunteers bring to the event ensures that we have a memorable Film Festival for Beaufort,” Rebecca emphasizes. “Our volunteers are simply the best!”

What Key BIFF Volunteers Say About the Film Festival… MICHELE BARKER:

BIFF Volunteer since 2012; from Charleston, SC and has lived in Beaufort since 2003. “Until last year I did various jobs—greeting and zip code collection, ticket sales and ushering. Last year I became a Volunteer Coordinator to help fill the various volunteer slots and supervise the volunteers on site.” “I’ve met some celebrities and filmmakers and seen some amazing films, but I’ve also gotten to know some very wonderful people here in Beaufort by working with them during the Festival. Rebecca and Ron are so encouraging and supportive and they listen to our ideas. It really is a team effort. Volunteering at BIFF is an opportunity to be a bit of an ambassador for Beaufort, to interact with people from all over the place, and to have a ton of fun. I like to think of it as my annual escape to “Hollywood” on a smaller scale!”

16 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com


RICH FRERKING:

BIFF Volunteer for 5 years; from New York City and Long Island, NY and has lived in Beaufort since 2009. “I’ve been involved in some fundraising, ushering and zip code collection for the Film Festival. I’ve enjoyed watching movies since I was about six years old and paid a quarter on Saturdays to watch a double feature. At home I have a pretty nice setup with a 120-inch screen and a collection of DVDs that is nearing 2,000 movies. So after I moved here and found there was a local film society, I sought them out and asked if I could be of some help and have tried to be useful ever since. As a result of volunteering, I’ve made some very good friends and have seen quite a few great films.”

BUNKY HANKS:

BIFF Volunteer for 7 years; from Hampton, SC and has lived in Beaufort for 24 years. “I am responsible for getting the volunteers for bartending and serving. I’m not sure how many years I’ve been doing this, but it’s at least seven years and it’s something I’ve eagerly anticipated each year. Where else could I serve champagne to Vanna White or talk with Powers Boothe and his wife for 10 – 15 minutes? Working with the volunteers and Ron and Rebecca is one of the most rewarding and satisfying things I do.”

www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | February/March 2017

17


BONNIE KRSTOLIC:

BIFF Volunteer since 2009; moved to Beaufort from Cincinnati, OH in 1997. “I’ve done a variety of jobs for the Film Festival—ticket sales, ushering, stuffing and delivering gift bags to filmmakers, serving appetizers, soliciting items for fundraising events, and distributing posters and BIFF information. This year I’m responsible, with another person, for recruiting 18 volunteers for the ‘Green Room,’ a space where the filmmakers and sponsors can relax and have refreshments.” “The Film Festival has given me the opportunity to see how many hands are needed to make an event successful and the chance to give back to the town of Beaufort. It’s rewarding and exciting to see how much the Festival has grown since its inception and how hard Ron and Rebecca work to make it better every year. We also are blessed with wonderful sponsors who are significant to our success.”

GWEN AND STAN SAGER:

BIFF Volunteer for 8 years; moved to Beaufort from New Jersey 10 years ago. “I began to volunteer for the Film Festival as a fill-in wherever they needed me at the old movie theater on Lady’s Island—ticket sales, selling merchandise, usher. Now my husband Stan and I set up for the Opening Night and Awards Night festivities, and we still jump in where needed.” “I enjoy the Film Festival immensely. I’ve made great friends (Ron and Rebecca, among others), seen some awesome films, met some wonderful and talented filmmakers, and increased my understanding and appreciation of filmmaking. I encourage everyone to come out to experience this incredible Festival. Once you ‘get a taste,’ you’ll be hooked—whether just enjoying the films or wanting to get more involved in behind-the-scenes activities. It brings the community together and showcases Beaufort hospitality and love of our town!”

18 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com


JENNY STEADHAM:

BIFF Volunteer since 2010; moved to Beaufort 10 years ago from Greenville, SC. “I have been volunteering for the Film Festival for 8 years and currently work as one of the Volunteer Coordinators, which involves contacting, scheduling, and assisting volunteers during the Festival. It is gratifying to know that in some small way I have contributed to the cultural and economic growth of my community. Volunteering has also given me the opportunity to meet a diverse group of people. I am constantly amazed at the many talented people in the film industry, as well as those in our small town. By volunteering for the Film Festival, you can hopefully get the same feeling of community service, learn more about the film industry and Beaufort’s role in it, and have lots of fun doing it.”

LORRIE STROUD:

BIFF Volunteer since 2010; moved to Beaufort in 2009 from Richmond, VA. “I started as a volunteer for the Film Festival selling tickets to screenings and T-shirts. The last two years, I’ve been coordinating volunteers for the registration/check-in tables at the Opening Night Party and the Awards Ceremony. Volunteering for BIFF is a pleasure. It’s well planned down to the last detail. As a volunteer, you have everything you need to do a good job and contribute to a successful Film Festival. Ron and Rebecca do an outstanding job of making the volunteers feel appreciated and valued. I think that’s why the same volunteers come back year after year. It’s an honor and a joy to be a part of the Film Festival.”

www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | February/March 2017

19


• Furniture • Glassware • Collectibles & more

Fine Chocolates and Other Confections Made On The Premises!

olle ct or s The C

www.thechocolatetree.us 507 Carteret Street • Beaufort, SC phone 843-524-7980

5,900 Square Feet 30+ Dealers Free Parking

Antique MAll

102C Sea Island Parkway (Lady’s Island Center)

Less than one mile across the bridge from downtown Beaufort.

843-524-2769

20 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com


march 18, 2017

www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | February/March 2017

21


A Loyal Audience I

story by karlee collins

photography by paul nurnberg

n the years since the Beaufort International Film Festival began, Director Ron Tucker says that the attendance has grown from about 500 to over 12,000. As the years have gone by, a venue change had to be made in order to accommodate the “swelling” audience that had doubled and quadrupled in the first three years. “We actually had two records for total attendance at one screening last year; we had 473 that broke the record on Thursday, and that record was broken on Saturday with 474,” Ron shares. The continual increase in attendance comes from a diverse audience that includes not only Beaufort residents, but also people that travel from many surrounding areas. Last year’s festival boasted an audience that represented thirty-seven states and five countries, and many of those will return again this year. The film festival brings people back no matter how far they travel. Ron says, “We have a group that comes from Connecticut almost

22 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com

every year and a couple from Texas that comes every year.” The film festival’s success has developed an audience that continues to return for more which has a positive impact on the community. Hotels and restaurants in the downtown area get the opportunity to host the festival’s attendees, and that is a healthy benefit to Beaufort’s economy. When the people are not occupied with enjoying the films, they are roaming the beautiful city, and Ron says that they all “fall in love with Beaufort,” especially the downtown area. The atmosphere of the community and the success of the festival have worked together to sell the audience an event worth returning to experience again and again. “It’s one of the things that we like,” Ron explains, “that it has become a destination for people. It wouldn’t be Beaufort in February if it weren’t for the film festival.” The growing loyal audience would agree.


Ken & Jan Bruning Jan Bruning and her husband, Ken, have been attending the Beaufort International Film Festival since its beginning. From hosting house guests to celebrating the films, they are a part of every aspect of the festival: “We are always there for the first showing of the day and do not leave until the last film is over. We attend every party and event associated with the festival. We have ‘film audience’ down to a science now and arrive to spend the day in our little enclave of seats,” Jan shares. They have high praise for directors, Ron and Rebecca Tucker saying, “They have turned our little festival into one that is growing amazingly fast!”

Katherine Zalusky “I have seen every single film!” says Katherine Zalusky, Beaufort resident of twelve years and loyal attendee of the film festival. She would not miss being at each film every year: “My husband knows that every year for that week I have a commitment.” She loves the movies and has a list of favorites. She says, “Initially, I preferred feature films…but now I prefer and look forward to the documentaries.” For Katherine, the fantastic films are not the only reason she continues to attend. “Even though the festival has grown and continues to improve, it has not lost that feeling of intimacy,” she explains. The common ground of watching films together makes large crowds into one big family, and that is the intimacy that Katherine describes.

Arlene Hull Arlene Hull will be attending the film festival this year for the tenth time. She heard about it through friends and has joined in on the fun since that time: “I come back every year to see the new talent and efforts of both new and experienced people in the industry.” For the Beaufort native, it is exciting to see how the festival gives exposure to her hometown. She says, “I think the impact on Beaufort is incredible, it helps to secure our place in the realms of truly being a very diversified arts community and gets us National recognition for such.” Through the festival, Arlene knows that Beaufort is being highlighted on the map, and she thanks Ron and Rebecca Tucker for it. “Every year is bigger and better,” she says, “and that is because of Ron and Rebecca and their commitment to the festival.”

www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | February/March 2017

23


Lloyd & Jane Sidwell In March of 2010, Lloyd and Jane Sidwell chose to make Beaufort their home. Soon afterwards they discovered the film festival through their new friends Ron and Rebecca Tucker. “The films, the excitement of the fest, the organization and attention to detail provided by Ron and Rebecca, the experience of meeting filmmakers, and the discussion of films with other filmgoers” are all reasons that they come back each year. Jane says she loves “sitting cocooned in her seat, in the upper reaches of the auditorium, and enjoying films for the entire day, one right after the other.” To the Sidwells, the film festival is a “world class” cultural event that is beneficial to locals and visitors alike.

Liz Entwistle Liz Entwistle first learned of the film festival through reading about it in the newspaper. She attended the first year and has been back to the festival each year. Liz says that she returns for “the comradery, the movies, the parties and the people.” She enjoys sharing the festival with her fellow Beaufort locals and those that come from out of town. Liz says, “It exposes Beaufort to the world for having a real quality of life.” Her contribution to that exposure has been bringing family from New York to attend the festival; she enjoys sharing the excitement of the festival with others.

Carolyn Roos Carolyn Roos will be attending the festival from opening to closing for the fourth time this year and has been for the Saturday showing for many other years. Through the invitation of friends, Carolyn discovered a place that gives her “the opportunity to see film making at its best from newbies to remakes.” She has enjoyed getting to know the film makers and their families as well as watching Beaufort be showcased as a location for future film making. She says, “Those that come to Beaufort because of the festival fall in love with Beaufort and some have made it their home.”

24 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com


Debbie Dawsey-Davis Long-time Beaufort resident, Debbie Dawsey-Davis has attended all ten years of the film festival. She looks forward to returning to the festival, and she says, “Each year continues to be the best!” Some of her favorite parts include the question and answer sessions with those involved in making the films and the parties. She says that she and her friends “love to sit all day and become one with the festival.” The annual film festival is another reason that Debbie is proud to live in Beaufort; she is thrilled to see “so many people come together with love and passion for the arts!”

Gerry & Diane Kenny Gerry and Dianne Kenny call Beaufort their home and have been attending the film festival since the beginning. Gerry and Ron Tucker are friends which is how the Kennys discovered the festival. Although Gerry does not claim to be a film buff, he feels that this unique event is enjoyable for all audiences. “I enjoy the diversity, seeing different kinds of movies,” he says. “I like the offbeat movies and the documentaries.” Gerry thinks something can be found to suit anyone’s interest, and he believes that Beaufort residents should support and relish in the culture that the festival provides. He says, “It’s important to promote local events, and this one is convenient and of good value.”

See the next page for a full schedule of the Beaufort International Film Festival and become a member of the loyal audience! www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | February/March 2017

25


26 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com


AWARD WINNING WEB DESIGN, BRANDING & DIGITAL MARKETING AGENCY. AWARD WINNING WEB DESIGN, BRANDING AWARD WINNING WEB DESIGN, BRANDING & DIGITAL MARKETING AGENCY.


Daughters of the Dust D story by mary ellen thompson

aughters of the Dust will screen at 7:30 p.m. at BIFF on Saturday, February 19. Twenty five years ago, this film was the first feature directed by an African American woman to receive general theatrical release and writer and director, Julie Dash, will be here to receive an award at the Awards Ceremony on Sunday evening, February 20. This film was made here in 1989 and the following members of the community who were associated with the film are very excited about the fact that it was restored and will be shown again at BIFF. They share their memories and associations with the film.

KAI-LYNNE WARREN: ACTRESS

Kai Lynne portrayed the character of the Unborn Child in the film (although her voice was dubbed over). Her grandmother, Jesse Mae Warren, was working at the Penn Center and heard about the movie, so Kai-Lynne’s mother brought her to the casting call and Kai-Lynne was chosen. When asked what she remembers about

photography by john wollwerth

being in the film, she initially replies, “Not so much, I was only seven. I remember running and playing on the beach. I do remember that I appreciated acting after that, I had seen what it took to film a scene.” Did she pursue an acting career as a result? “No; I auditioned for Queen in Charleston but didn’t get a part and there wasn’t anything else.” How did Kai-Lynne find out that Daughters of the Dust had been rereleased? “My mother saw it on facebook!” When questioned about the last time she saw the film, Kai-Lynne says, “It was on television some years back. I was talking to a co-worker and she was telling me that she saw a movie on television and thought a little girl in the film looked just like me. I asked her what movie it was and when she said Daughters of the Dust, I told her - that was me!” “Oh,” Kai-Lynne said, “there is one other thing I remember. I was constantly having to get my dress fixed. I kept getting holes and tears in it, the fabric was so thin and I was running around playing on the beach and climbing trees.”

28 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com

Kai-Lynne is looking forward to attending the film at BIFF with her husband who has never seen it. “It was a wonderful film and everyone who was part of it was so nice.”

Kai-Lynne


Willie WILLIE FAULKNER: ACTOR

Willie had a speaking part in 23 films that were filmed in this area, in this one he played Peazant Man #1. Of Daughters of the Dust, he recalls, “It was different than the other films I had worked on; there was more feeling. The Black culture was

and still is trying to be equal, to overcome obstacles. Julie Dash was wonderful to work for. I had a speaking part as Peazant Man #1. I had to be on the set every day, and I still remember that when we were shooting out at Hunting Island, those sand gnats were trouble.” When asked what about being part of that experience still sticks with him after 27 years, Willie explains, “All of it still sticks. Daughters of the Dust mirrored our times then and mirrors our time now. As in the film, we were leaving the old world and coming to the new. There were many people here who left to go to New York and then wanted to come back. In the film and life, there were the old ladies, the grandmothers in the old world, who would say, ‘You go on, I’ll stay here. Or they would give their children protective things so they would be safe and remember their roots. The film points up and points out the flaws and attributes of these times, then and now.” Willie has the original script of the film.

ERVENA FAULKNER: EXTRA

“It was great fun, I was just an extra in four or five scenes but not all the scenes I was in were used in the movie. I called being on the set ‘hurry up and wait’ time. But I did get in the film in the baptismal scene where everyone was going down to

Ervena the water. I know my hips and when I saw the movie I could see them! Ron Daise was also in that scene so we both got in the film.” “We went to the screening in Atlanta. When Julie Dash’s book came out in 1992, I read it with my book club.”

www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | February/March 2017

29


Mary

location is like a character in itself. The music was ethereal and mesmerizing; I just loved the beauty of it. When people saw the film they really began to understand the culture of the Gullah people; Julie Dash covered so many of the images like net making, basket weaving and the bottle trees. Daughters of the Dust is a cult classic.” Diane has said that the film had an influence on her art, that many of her paintings have the spirit of the character the Unborn Child. She explains, “I can relate to her as the little girl in my self. She is mystical because she ties the story together; most of my paintings have a little girl in them, some of them are her spirit and some of them are me.” When asked what her involvement with the making of the film was, Diane replies, “None. Except that Mary Mack wanted me to do a painting that might be used for the movie poster.” Diane did the painting and although it didn’t make it as a movie poster, it did grace the cover of the pamphlet that was used for the film screening at MCAS. She was, however, caught up in the conviviality of picture making. “I was living on Saint Helena and the cast and crew were in the center of the Frogmore Community; they stayed in the motel there and went to the shops. Mary was managing my art and it was in her gallery there so I had the opportunity to watch from the sidelines. I loved the energy of the artsy community. I always wanted to be an artist and hang out in that kind of community. I had just started exhibiting so I was new to this art world and I was shy so I just watched the goings on whenever I could.”

Diane MARY MAC: HOSTESS

“I had The Red Piano Too Art Gallery on Saint Helena. At that time it was where MacDonald Marketplace is now and was across the street from E’s Fabric Shop, which was owned by Edith Sumpter. One day when I was in the shop I saw Vertamae Grosvenor, who I recognized from ETV and NPR, and I had read her books. So I chatted her up and found that she was shopping for fabric for the costumes for Daughters of the Dust. My husband, Tommy, had a small side business doing tailoring so I invited them to the house to meet him. He wound up making some of the costumes and repurposing an umbrella that was carried by the character, Yellow Mary, in the film. I invited the cast to dinner and they all came.” When asked what she remembers now about that dinner, Mary replied, “I put bacon in the gumbo and they didn’t like it; most of them were vegetarians. Luckily I also had salad, rice and cornbread so that was what they ate. I remember putting a bottle of soy sauce on the table,” Mary laughs. “They were excited about the area, the history and culture. I was excited about the fact they were making a movie here.” Why does she think the film is important? “It’s a slice of life. See if you can put yourself in that role. You don’t have to stay there, but see what it’s like. “When the film was released, as part of the Ladies of the Lowcountry, in conjunction with the Penn Center, we held a fundraiser for Penn and the film was screened at the theater at the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS). The theater was filled.”

DIANE BRITTON DUNHAM: ARTIST

What impressed Diane most about the film was, “The cinematography, the flowing white gowns, the scenery; the

30 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com


JACQUELYN MARKHAM: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

When asked how she first became aware of the film, Jackie remembers, “During the time Julie Dash was filming Daughters of the Dust, she was living in Atlanta and I was teaching Women’s Studies at the University of Georgia. In a course on women’s contributions to culture, we studied some film directors working at the time and I believe Julie Dash’s name surfaced. Shortly after, I viewed the film.” Jackie recounts her initial impression of the film, “I fell in love with it! When I was in graduate school, I majored in literature and poetry, but I took every film course I could and even considered a minor in film. Also, I have a great love of visual art. To me, Daughters of the Dust is like an impressionist painting coming to life with the mystery of poetry.” As a teacher, what made Jackie want to incorporate the film into her teaching, and how has she done so? “I came to the film from so many angles: literary, artistic, cultural, and this film has the potential to open so many dialogues and explorations. I think that is why it has been my favorite film for 25 years and why I wanted to incorporate it into my teaching. I like to use film in my literature courses in general because so many students relate to the visual and there are always parallel points in film and literature that students can discuss and write about. In Daughters of the Dust, we could talk about the nonlinear narrative, symbolism, the mystery or poetic sense of the film as well as the social, historical, and cultural implications.” The film has stayed with Jackie, and she describes that for us. “This film has made a lasting impression on me in ways I would never have imagined when I was first introduced to it. I had no idea at that time that I would even leave Athens, Georgia or that one day, my interest in culture would entice me to know more about the Gullah culture and an eventual move to the Beaufort area. I first visited St. Helena and Penn Center in 2002 and Daughters of the Dust came alive again. I can’t tell you how many people I have told about this amazing film. Now that it has been restored and is getting the recognition it deserves, I feel privileged to again see it on the big screen at BIFF and hopefully see and hear Julie Dash tell us more about her vision and current projects.” Epilogue from the original script: “Just as streams coalesce into rivers, and rivers coalesce into oceans, these black freedpeople entered the larger body of the black experience remembering, recollecting, and recalling the daughters of the dust.”

ONLY GET ONE CHANCE { YOU TO HAVE AN AMAZING EVENT } TENTS • TABLES • TUXEDOS • PORTALETS CHAIRS • CHINA • FLATWARE • LINENS • GLASSES WEDDING ARCHES • PHOTO BOOTH

843-837-5090

www.amazingeventrentals.com www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | February/March 2017

31


• Windows and Doors • Fencing and Decks • Siding and Gutters • Additions and Porches

Effingham Exterior Experts Financing available Come see our showroom: 2667 Hwy 80 Bloomingdale GA 31302 Call us for a free estimate: (912)313-0278 912homeworks.com

32 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com



The Mystery of the

MOVIE TRAILER EXPLAINED

W

story by mary ellen thompson

hat is the point of a movie trailer, you may have wondered. A trailer is the introduction to a film, the: “Hello – do I want to meet/know/watch you? Get to know you better? Be involved with your story?” The trailer acts as the lure, the catch, the release. But once you’ve seen the film, you may not see the relevance between the two. Enticing the potential audience isn’t always the primary objective of an Indie filmmaker. What he may be looking for is funding to get his film produced long before he worries about the audience’s reaction. The trailer is also his way of getting a clip of his film out there for investors. Our resident experts, VW Scheich and Uyen Le, clear up some of the confusion. “Trailers are their own beasts. Not many indie filmmakers have experience with marketing; show business is just that - show + business and there isn’t normally anything in film school that teaches you about the marketing and business side of making films.” Let’s look at a little history. The first trailer was shown in the United States in 1913 when a short film was produced for the Marcus Lowe theaters, to promote the musical, The Pleasure Seekers. Originally trailers were shown after, hence “trailing”, the feature film to promote coming attractions. However the audiences often left immediately after the feature and the practice changed to showing them before the film. Another way to grab a potential audience’s attention is the movie poster. Tom Jung, a famous Hollywood poster artist, designed the poster for VW and Uyen’s short film Wallenda in 2012, and probably about 200 others, including Star Wars, The Man With the Golden Gun (007), and La Strada. Jung started in the business in the 1950’s and ever since then his job has been to sell a movie to an audience with one image. Think about that for a minute - the importance an image can convey. Neither trailer nor poster is likely to be fully representative of an entire film. Interestingly enough, there are trailers designated for different audiences, such as red band trailers and green band trailers for the same film. For instance there may be an “R” rated movie that has a green band trailer that can be shown to every audience even though it is for an “R” rated movie, meaning that the trailer, not the film, is approved for every audience. That same “R” rated film will also have a red band trailer that may feature sex, violence

34 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com

photography by susan deloach

and profanity; same movie, two different trailers. So the audience needs to pay attention to the differentiation. “Trailers are really, really hard to make and an unappreciated art, and sometimes they can be misleading. It’s very common that trailers don’t match the movies, for instance I think Hercules had a compelling trailer but the domestic box office numbers for the film didn’t reflect that,” according to VW. Uyen’s analogy is, “A good trailer is like a kiss on a first date, full of promise, but a bad trailer can mislead you.” The Movie Picture Association of America allows a maximum time for a trailer of 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Often a filmmaker will take his favorite highlights and moments and put them together for the trailer without regard to marketing, or presenting a synopsis of the film. For films that are produced on a large budget, advertising/marketing agencies are often hired and they employ “trailer houses,” which are businesses who get an early cut of the movie and make the trailer for the movie studio. Indie filmmakers usually can’t afford the trailer houses due to their lean budgets. VW explains, “I was in a marketing meeting for a Disney feature and we were talking about trailers. The subject of showing too much and giving away the movie in the trailer came up. I am sure you have seen trailers and then thought, didn’t I just see the whole movie? Well as it turns out marketing research shows that an audience member is more likely to come to a movie when they already know what is going to happen (if the bad guys gets it) than if they were left with a cliff hanger.” His final comment is that, trailers aside, “Indie filmmakers give everything they have to their indie film from the conception, to writing the screenplay, then shooting the movie and finally the edit. Each part of the process is equally important and difficult. People from all over the world who have put their heart and soul into their film, which is like their baby, are thrilled to be invited to festivals like The Beaufort International Film Festival.” Watch the trailers, but don’t be convinced whether or not to see the movies based on the them alone. Each and every one of us has a “baby” of some sort and we all want them to be handled with tenderness and respect; go see the films and support those people who have worked so hard to present them here to you.


www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | February/March 2017

35


Kayaking, Stand-Up Paddleboarding, Running and More!

y h W

s U Ask OU On Y Be ! ld ages u o Sh ur P O Kayak and Stand-up Paddleboard Rentals

www.highergroundbeaufort.com

36 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com

(843) 379-8696 www.beaufortlifestyle.com One Beaufort Town Center 2015 Boundary Street • Suite 221 Beaufort, SC, 29902


Let’s Do Business...

IN BEAUFORT www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | February/March 2017

37


The Best Western Sea Island Inn

M

story by susan lee

photography by john wollwerth

ost event and meeting planners will agree that one of the most important factors in planning an event is the venue. Choosing the right setting for a memorable gathering or business meeting will go a long way in ensuring a successful event. One of the best venues in the Low Country is the Best Western Sea Island Inn. Located in the heart of the Beaufort Historic District on Bay Street, the inn boasts nearly 2,500 square feet of event space. In 2016, the Best Western Sea Island Inn was voted Best Hotel in the Eat Sleep Play Beaufort Awards. TripAdvisor reviewers also love the inn, rating it an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars. What sets the inn’s meeting spaces apart from others in the area? Hands down, it’s the location, says General Manager Lisa Kassuba. “We’re right in the historic district, just steps away from Antebellum homes, quaint shops, art galleries, book stores, and a variety of cafés, bistros, coffee shops and eateries,” she says. “And because we’re at the waterfront, our guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the scenic Beaufort River.” The inn’s spacious and expertly styled meeting rooms, Room by the Bay and the Dolphin Room, make lovely settings for Beaufort area meetings and banquets. Functions ranging in size from 2 to 70 can be accommodated with ease, and audiovisual equipment is included at no additional fee. If your event requires a catered luncheon, the inn staff has access to a variety of fabulous caterers in the Beaufort area. The Best Western Sea Island Inn’s amenities and services

38 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com

include: • Room by the Bay - 735 square feet • Dolphin Room – 1,700 square feet • Complimentary Wi-Fi • Audio/visual equipment • Podium • Easels • PA system • Two 42 - inch wall mounted televisions • DVD


• Flip charts • 6-foot screen • Coolers • Microphones - Standard • Microphones - Wireless • Free local calls • 70 chairs • Skirting and tablecloths • 6 and 8-foot tables • Six 60-inch round tables According to Lisa, both of the meeting rooms recently underwent extensive renovations. The Dolphin Room renovation consisted of all new carpeting, plantation shutters and lighting. In the Room by the Bay, everything was replaced, to include new flooring, furniture, lighting, counters and more. Lisa has worked at the Best Western Sea Island Inn for 28 years and loves her job and the inn. “I love what we do and where we do it,” she says. “I love meeting and hosting our guests, working with our fantastic staff and doing it all in beautiful and historic downtown Beaufort.” She adds that she also very much enjoys managing such a spectacular inn, especially since “no two days are alike.” And for meeting attendees who wish to stay overnight, the inn offers 43 boutique-

style rooms that celebrate the spirit of the charming South. The beautifully appointed rooms, with either a king bed or two queen beds, include modern amenities such as complimentary high-speed internet, Bath & Bodyworks bath products and flat screen TVs. “Our staff goes above and beyond to make sure that all of our guests have a restful and productive stay,” says Lisa.

Meeting Space Available In Beautiful Downtown Beaufort!

“Everyone here works hard to make sure the inn’s superior customer service, value and cleanliness are a priority.” For more information on planning your next meeting at the Best Western Sea Island Inn, call (843)522-2090 or visit www.sea-island-inn.com. The inn is located at 1015 Bay St., at the corner of Bay and Newcastle Streets.

Time For Your Yearly Insurance Check-Up? CALL LOWCOUNTRY INSURANCE SERVICES

Meeting Space On The Waterfont for up to 70 people in our newly renovated banquet room. Room now available to rent for baby showers, small business meetings, from 2-30 people.

Sea Island Inn

1015 Bay Street • Beaufort, South Carolina (843) 522-2090 • siibeaufort.com

80 Ladys Island Drive, Beaufort, SC 29907

843.522.2020

jalthoff@insuranceserv.com www.lowcountryinsurance.com www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | February/March 2017

39


dining guide 1635 On The Avenue 1635 Paris Avenue Port Royal, SC (843) 379-0607 Breakwater Restaurant and Bar 102 Carteret Street, Suite 102, Beaufort SC 29902 (843) 379-0052 www.breakwatersc.com

Luther’s Rare and Well Done 910 Bay Street Beaufort,SC 29902 843-521-1888 www.luthersrareandwelldone. com Sea Eagle Market 2242 Boundary Street, Beaufort, SC. (843) 521-5090 www.seaeaglemarket.com

1635 On The Avenue

To Advertise in the dining guide, or to find out how to get your restaurant, pub or bar listed please call Julie at (912)657-4120.

Southern Comfort With A Twist

Serving The Best Steaks, Ribs & Chops In Town.

1635 Paris Avenue Port Royal, South Carolina (843) 379-0607 Dinner: Wednesday-Saturday Opening at 5

SOUTHERN STAPLES REDEFINED

SOUTHERN STAPLES REDEFINED

Where The Locals Go... Casual Dining With A Beautiful Waterfront

Impressions are everything. Make yours today.

Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials

Mon-Wed 5-9 Thu-Sat 5-9:30 Bar Open Late Closed Sunday

FULL SERVICE BAR WITH LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

843-521-1888

910 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC

Open 7 Days A Week 11:00 AM - 2 AM

40 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com

203 Carteret Street | Beaufort 843.379.0052 | breakwatersc.com

203 Carteret Stree Beaufort 843.379.0052 breakwatersc.com


real estate

“Elegant Custom Home in Habersham� This Home is Offered By: Greg Bennett (843) 812-0623 greg@beaufortrealtyconsultants.com


Beaufort Success Story: GREG AND SHELIA BENNETT

“B

story by cindy reid

photography by paul nurnberg

eaufort is our home, real estate is our business!” Greg and Shelia Bennett have been in the real estate business since 1997 and have owned their own brokerage, Beaufort Realty Consultants, since 2001. They specialize in residential and vacation home and land sales, servicing Beaufort, the surrounding areas and the beach resorts of Harbor and Fripp Island. Additionally, they provide both a long term residential and short term vacation property division to assist clients with investment properties. Together they exemplify the unique combination of hard earned success, good humor and laid back lowcountry living that is the Beaufort lifestyle. They reside on Lady’s Island with their two rescue dogs, Zoey and Ruger, but how Greg and Shelia ended up in Beaufort is a story straight out of Hollywood. It starts appropriately enough on a Caribbean island… Greg: After resigning my commission from the Army after the first Gulf War, we wanted to pursue our dream of island living. We left Puerto Rico where we had been living and moved to Montserrat, a Caribbean island in the British West Indies, with our five month old daughter Morgan. We opened a scuba diving shop and did very well for two and a half years. But then the previously dormant Soufriere Hills volcano became active. After the volcano erupted, there was fewer than 15 square miles of livable land left on the island and non citizens were asked to leave, as it was extremely difficult for the government to feed and take care of the population. We didn’t have any other option, if you were not a native of the island you had to leave. We evacuated April 30, 1996. Shelia: We had to hire an independent pilot to fly us out to Antigua. We gave everything we had to our cleaning lady. With nowhere else to go, we went to my sister’s in West Virginia to regroup. Our plan was to open another dive shop in the United States. We were researching coastal towns by calling each town’s Chamber of Commerce. This was before the internet! Of the twenty five chambers I called, Beaufort’s was the nicest. I never knew their name but who ever answered the phone was so enthusiastic and bubbly that I knew we had to visit this town. We bought a junker car and toured the towns on our list, ending up at Tybee Island during a heat wave, and the car’s air conditioning gave out. I was determined to drive to Beaufort and Greg was equally determined not to. He thought it was a truck stop! We had a fight and I said I am going to Beaufort, with or without you. Greg: I was wrong- I think I had confused Beaufort with exit 8, Hardeeville! I gave in and we went to Beaufort together. Shelia: We came into Beaufort and we knew immediately it was for us. We sat on the swing at the waterfront park and I said to Greg, “How do you like this truck stop?” We didn’t have jobs but called real estate agents to rent a house. We knew this was the right place for us.

42 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com

REALTY SUCCESS Greg: After we moved to Beaufort I couldn’t get a job. We were living in a small rental house with a mattress and a large tupperware container that we used as our clothing storage and dining room table. We were literally down to $785.00 when I got into real estate. I answered an ad for a sales position which turned out to be for real estate. The rest was history. I stumbled into the right place, at the right time, in the right market. But I had a distinct advantage. Number One- I was naïve. Number Two- I was broke and motivated to succeed. We had $785 to our name and the rent was due. I had worked for an executive recruiter for a short period of time and was an epic failure. But I knew how to cold call. I had no fear of the phone. I went from working at a housing development in Bluffton to being an onsite sales person at Harbor Island. I used my ability to cold call property owners and build a client base. Three years later we opened our own real estate


company. During this time, we realized it was important to us that we raise our child ourselves and back then the daycare options were very limited and we could not afford them. So Shelia stayed home during the day with our daughter and she would do things like teach gymnastics at night. (Daughter Morgan is now 22 years old and tutoring English in Rome, Italy) Everything we have achieved has been a total team effort. By all standards, their real estate career / business has been a huge success. Greg is consistently ranked in the top 3% of Realtors in Northern Beaufort County and the top 8% of residential Realtors in the SC, NC and GA region, based on sales production. Greg: Shelia has worked incredibly hard and smart for the last 7 years on our internet marketing, organically growing our business. She trained with the smartest guy in internet marketing, moving way beyond paid “clicks.” When the market collapsed in 2008 Shelia and our consultant worked on our online presence, achieving greater visibility via web based marketing to provide a continual flow of business to our agents. Shelia: I would rather work hard and smart

Montserrat, British West Indies

than pay someone else. I am in control when I am doing the work. I am passionate about providing the highest quality of training, technology tools and support for our agents to ensure their success. We really focus on training, mentoring and helping our agents at our brokerage. It is our responsibility and obligation to stay up to date so they can serve our clients and the consumer. We have such a wonderful group of people

here, everyone is so supportive of each other and we like it like that. Greg: At one time we had forty agents. We are now very selective about who we bring on. We are not looking for lots of realtors, just a select few who are serious about their business. We really are like a big, happy family here. Shelia: Life is too short to have it any other way.

Beaufort’s First Choice in Property Management

• RESIDENTIAL • VACATION • COMMERCIAL

Serving Beaufort, Bluffton and Hilton Head

910 Charles Street Beaufort, SC 29902 Rentals & Property Management

843-521-1942

www.VisitSeaIslandRentals.com www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | February/March 2017

43


VISIT US HERE

www.BeaufortLifestyle.com

Read Current Issue Online Read Past Issues

B E A U F O R T, P O R T R O YA L A ND THE SE A I SL A N D S

Sign Up For Our Bi-Weekly Newsletters See What’s Happening In Our News Feed

FEBRUARY/M

ARCH 2017

11th Annual

BEAUFORT INTERNATONAL FILM FESTIVAL

44 February/March 2017 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com


Beaufort Lifestyle!

Become A Fan... Keep up with us between issues! We will be posting pictures and information from each magazine!

One Beaufort Town Center • 2015 Boundary Street, Suite 311 Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

(843) 379-8696 Beaufort Lifestyle is a publication of Independence Day Publishing, Inc.

Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort Beautiful weddings come naturally here.

Picture a storybook wedding on an intimate island against the backdrop of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Add to that everything you and you guests could possibly want to enjoy as you prepare for that magical day. This is Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort. Casual elegance on the most beautiful of South Carolina’s barrier islands, just down the road from Beaufort.

Call 877-770-0764 or visit us at www.FrippIslandResort.com www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | February/March 2017

45


UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BEAUFORT

A Tribute to Broadway Street Corner March 10, 11 & 12 Symphony The USCB Lunch With Author Series features a tasty mix of New York Times

3 Redneck Tenors Friday, February 10

Saturday, 25award winning authors and debuting authors. best-selling February authors, national

BROADWAY

KRISTY WOODSON HARVEY

CASSANDRA KING NOON, WEDNESDAY,

NOON, THURSDAY

FEATURING MUSIC FROM SOUTH MARCH 15PACIFIC TO WICKED

DECEMBER 1

BELFAIR CLUB, BLUFFTON, SC

HAMPTON HALL, BLUFFTON, SC

BARB SCHMIDT

J.E. THOMPSON

NOON, WEDNESDAY,

NOON, THURSDAY,

APRIL 19

JANUARY 26

Route 66

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BEAUFORT

MOSS CREEK CLUBHOUSE

Friday, March The USCB Lunch With Author Series features a tasty mix of New York Times UNIVERSITY OF 31 SOUTH CAROLINA BEAUFORT

MELANIE BENJAMIN KRISTY WOODSON

COUNTRY CLUB AT HILTON HEAD ISLAND

$42 per ticket, $270 for Season (includes 7 luncheons)

best-selling authors, national award winning authors and debuting authors.

For more information, call 843-521-4145 CASSANDRA KING NOON, WEDNESDAY, HARVEY or visit The USCB Lunch With Author Series features a tastyNOON, mixTHURSDAY of New York Times NOON, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15 MARCH 15 DECEMBER 1 www.USCBCenterForTheArts.com best-selling authors, national award winning authors and debuting authors. BELFAIR CLUB, BLUFFTON, SC SEA PINES COUNTRY CLUB HAMPTON HALL, BLUFFTON, SC

CASSANDRA KINGNOON, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19 JANUARY 26

NOON, THURSDAY,

MOSS CREEK CLUBHOUSE

DECEMBER 1

NOON, WEDNESDAY,

www.USCBCenterForTheArts.com BARB SCHMIDT

NOON, WEDNESDAY,

NOON, THURSDAY,

APRIL 19

JANUARY 26

COUNTRY CLUB AT HILTON HEAD ISLAND

THANK YOU for helping us reach FEBRUARY 15

SEA PINES COUNTRY CLUB

or visit

FEBRUARY 15

SEA PINES COUNTRY CLUB

J.E. THOMPSON

NOON, WEDNESDAY,

MARCH 15

$42 per ticket, $270 for Season MELANIE BELFAIR CLUB, BLUFFTON, (includesSC 7 luncheons) BENJAMIN For more information, call 843-521-4145

HAMPTON HALL, BLUFFTON, SC

MELANIE BENJAMIN

COUNTRY CLUB AT

NOON, WEDNESDAY, HILTON HEAD ISLAND

NOON, THURSDAY

MOSS CREEK CLUBHOUSE

BARB SCHMIDT

J.E. THOMPSON

KRISTY WOODSON HARVEY

$42 per ticket, $270 for Season (includes 7 luncheons)

For more information, call 843-521-4145 1800 Boundary St. Beaufort, SC 29920 or visit

805 CARTERET STREET, BEAUFORT, SC

www.USCBCenterForTheArts.com (843) 521-4145 1800 Boundary St. Beaufort, SC 29920 Next to the Car Wash

(843)524-8085

Next to the Car Wash www.USCBCenterForTheArts.com

(843)524-8085 Lifestyle Furniture

Lifestyle Furniture -by-

,000 2STUDENTS!

-by-

www.mamasfurniture.com www.mamasfurniture.com

1800 Boundary St. Beaufort, SC 29920 Next to the Car Wash

(843)524-8085

Lifestyle Furniture -by-

www.mamasfurniture.com


www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | December/January 2016-17

47


ANOTHER GOLD STAR. Beaufort Memorial is the only area hospital to receive the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for hip and knee replacement. We’ve been recognized for our exceptional outcomes and high patient satisfaction. To us, there’s no better feeling than helping our patients get back to the lives they love.

B E AU F O R TM E M O R I A L . O R G


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.