Bluffton Monthly December 2022

PEOPLE 22 : Magnificent ‘Miss Molly’ Bluffton Boys & Girls Club director a mainstay. 24 : Shark Savant High schooler wins award for educational project.

NEWS

32 : Hot Topics What’s sparking interest in the Lowcountry.

FINANCE

40 : What to Expect Next Looking ahead to 2023’s economic outlook.

BUSINESS

42 : Family Farm A & A Christmas Trees are a Lowcountry tradition.

COMMUNITY 54 : Chorus of Good Cheer Hilton Head Shore Notes sing songs of holiday joy.

SPORTS

62 : Holiday Baseball Christmas Day game on the island. 106 : Golf Tour Guru Dennis McCormac leads competitive event.

OUTDOORS

116 : Hidden Gem Sgt. Jasper Park offers abundant activities.

HOME

124 : Holiday Decorating What’s trending this season. 128 : Wrapping the Gifts

REAL ESTATE

133 : Stable Market What will impact real estate next year.

GIVING

148 : Making a Difference Recognizing those committed to the community.

DINING

156 : Perfect Prime Rib Enjoy this holiday centerpiece recipe. 158 : Savory Sides Best dishes to serve with prime rib. 160 : Yule Log Treat Dessert never tasted better.

Artful skills that showcase the perfect present. 46 : On the Move 132 : Real Estate briefs 162 : Calendar 170 : Last Call

dear reader,

We are so excited for the holiday season — truly the most wonderful time of the year.

The season is a time to give to others and embrace the time we spend with our loved ones. We appreciate that you are sharing some of your valued time with us by reading this issue.

Thank you.

To celebrate the end of the year, we are recognizing our local businesses and communities with our annual Readers’ Choice Awards, chosen by 81,661 votes. Thank you for voting and letting us know your favorite businesses and professionals.

The joy of the season is evident throughout the Lowcountry. Consider the nostalgic playground that is island resident Hartland Monahan’s Christmas village.

Or enjoy learning about the Shore Notes, an a cappella chorus that brightens the season by singing holiday songs at retirement homes.

Wreaths Across America is a wonderful tradition that honors veterans and their families during the holidays. Read how the displays help celebrate the lives of heroes from our area.

Looking for ways to make your holiday season special? Find decorating tips for the home, and learn ways to expertly wrap the perfect gift.

Your holiday table brings the family together. Once you have it set, be sure to check out the prime rib recipe — it’s one to savor. We also offer tasty side-dish options. Don’t forget dessert. We have a recipe for a delicious traditional holiday cake.

The holidays are also teeming with history. Read about a baseball game held in the Lowcountry on Christmas Day in 1862 that was witnessed by thousands. That contest began our area’s rich connection to the sport.

We are so grateful for the support of our loyal readers and advertisers. Thank you for being part of our year.

The team at Monthly sends all of you the warmest holiday greetings and best wishes.

SASHA SWEENEY MEREDITH DIMUZIO Publishers

MEREDITH DIMUZIO

SASHA SWEENEY

l etter

BRINGING WORKFORCE HOUSING TO THE FOREFRONT

BY BRENDA DOOLEY

Sometimes it takes a crisis to bring a long-time issue to everyone’s attention. The need for affordable, attainable workforce housing on Hilton Head Island and the broader Lowcountry region isn’t new. But a recent crisis has certainly brought a whole new focus on the matter.

A safe, decent place to live, whether owned or rented, is a basic need for everyone. A vibrant community that is widely recognized as a top vacation destination needs to provide a diverse range of housing for its service industry, teachers, healthcare providers, law enforcement and other vital workers.

Residents, as well as tourists, suffer when employers can’t fill positions. The whole community suffers when too many residents are living in unsafe, unaffordable housing conditions.

Since the start of the pandemic, an already-challenging situation has grown. The cost of homeownership has gone up, while available inventory has gone down.

As people are priced out of homeownership, the cost of rent has climbed out of reach for many. A standard measurement of what a family should pay for housing is no more than 30 percent of their total income. Too many families now are paying close to half or more of their income for housing—and often still living in unsafe or overcrowded situations.

When so much goes to housing, there’s little left for transportation, healthcare, groceries and debt reduction and no chance of preparing for unexpected emergencies. Many are left one flat tire away from disaster. There’s no doubt they are struggling. Families live in fear their rent will go up past the point of their

ability to pay, and we hear often about rents that have doubled or even tripled.

Our mission at Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity is to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1990, through the generosity of donors and volunteers, we’ve helped 124 families realize the dream of owning their own homes. Studies show homeownership benefits a family in many ways in addition to the financial aspect. Children do better in school and go on to higher education at a higher rate. Parents are more involved in their children’s education and in their community. Habitat for Humanity’s program helps families build strength, stability and self-reliance through housing.

The town of Hilton Head Island recognized this need back in 2011 when they made a commitment to increasing the availability of affordable housing by providing 14 acres to Habitat for Humanity. The community, known as The Glen, is almost built out now, providing the opportunity of homeownership for 32 hard-working families.

Town Council continues to look for ways to address the issue with the Northpointe private/public development partnership, the recent approval of a workforce housing framework and agreeing to participate with seven other local municipalities to create a regional housing trust fund.

New focus has brought new hope. Families in need of housing they can afford should feel encouraged by these recent events. Habitat for Humanity staff, donors and volunteers will continue to advocate and work on their behalf.

Brenda Dooley is Executive Director of Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity

AMY COYNE BREDESON

AMY COYNE BREDESON, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Amy Coyne Bredeson is a freelance journalist who has written for various local publications during the past 20 years. She and her husband, Matt, live in Bluffton with their two children, 18-year-old Elijah, and 16-year-old Chloe, and their two dogs, Lola and Chewie.

Amy is the South Carolina chair for the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Alliance, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of people fighting tuberous sclerosis complex, a rare genetic disease that causes tumors to grow in the vital organs. She began volunteering with the group after her daughter was diagnosed with TSC in 2010.

Amy has organized several fundraisers, educational meetings and social events for the Carolinas chapter of the TSC Alliance. She and her daughter have traveled to Washington, D.C., on several occasions to ask Congressional members from South Carolina for their support of continued federal funding of TSC research.

To learn more about TSC or to donate, tsalliance.org.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

KEEP YOUR SKIN HEALTHY DURING THE WINTER

We all know how important skin care can be in the height of summer, but living well in the skin you’re in is a year-round job. Winter is still a wonderland in the Lowcountry, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid supporting your skin.

Whether you’re striving to avoid dry, itchy skin, heal harsher winter conditions, or maintain healthy prevention of skin cancers, here are your best bets for the – somewhat – cooler months.

Don’t like it hot. Lower temps and shorter showers and not over-washing hands is always good advice. Your skin pays the price because scalding water can strip essential natural oils and dry out skin.

Deep conditioning in colder conditions. Moisturizing is often overlooked as it can seem non-essential but it’s anything but, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The more you lose hydration, the more it needs to be replaced. In the winter, your skin needs all the help it can get, from chapped lips to cracked hands to whole-body healing.

Take cover. Skin damage is not caused by heat or high temperatures, it’s caused by the sun, and especially in the Lowcountry, the sun still shines all winter long. Don’t be afraid to pull out the hats and scarves to keep out the chill and extrabright UV rays.

Hydrate. To avoid dehydrating, hook up a humidifier, trade out a few caffeinated cups for hot water and lemon.

PHOTO MONTH OF THE

Deborah Taylor captured this beautiful Hilton Head Island setting.

WORLD

MAKING AN IMPACT

BY CLAY BONNYMAN EVANS | PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN

Molly Hornbeak remembers the first time she took a busload of children from the Bluffton Boys & Girls Club to see the Atlantic Ocean.

“We got to the foot of the bridge to Hilton Head Island, and some of the kids were screaming and crying,” says the club’s only director since its founding in 1998. “They had never seen the ocean!”

It’s not a stretch to say that Hornbeak’s own eyes were opened when she first stepped into the job.

Hornbeak moved to Hilton Head Island from Oklahoma City in 1990 with her family in a whirlwind decision following a family vacation.

“It was paradise. My mother said, ‘You ought to move there,’” she says. “My husband was in the food-andbeverage industry and two weeks later, he was back here working, and I was at home packing up.”

She worked in day care and for Planned Parenthood (“It’s not what everybody thought it was; it was preventive, running programs against being sexually promiscuous, how to say ‘no,’ how to be a good parent,” she says) when she was approached to apply for the director’s job at the Boys & Girls Club, which was set to open in the cafeteria at M.C. Riley Elementary School.

“I truly had no idea what the Boys & Girls Club was when I interviewed for the job,” Hornbeak, better known as “Miss Molly,” recalls with a laugh.

She quickly learned that the Boys & Girls Clubs of America were created “To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”

The Bluffton club emphasizes “academic success, good citizenship and healthy lifestyles,” she says.

Raised by a military father, Hornbeak understood the value of careful scouting before moving into action.

“I spent a couple of days to observe and see what I’d gotten myself into. Then I went home and cried for a couple more days,” she says. “I’d never seen anything like it.”

The 200 kids in the fledgling program came from broken homes and other challenging life circumstances. Hornbeak witnessed fighting, cursing and threatening behavior.

But after her initial shock, she recognized that she was in a position to establish high expectations from the start.

“I had the power to suspend the kids. Boys & Girls Club is a privilege that offers lots of hope and opportunity. They needed to respect that,” she says.

Her decision to promptly suspend 28 students sent shock waves throughout the community. With membership costing a mere $45 a year — by far the lowest cost afterschool care option available to working parents — the miscreants’ parents got the message and passed it along to their kids: What “Miss Molly” says, goes, period. No messing around.

And that swift dose of tough love planted the seed for nearly a quarter century of success. In its 24 years, the club has served more than 5,000 kids, built a new, stand-alone building (at H.E. McCracken Circle) and implemented special programs, including summer camp participation and the Keystone Club, through which teen members raise money for a group trip.

“It’s pretty amazing the impact that caring adults can make in these children’s lives, the consistency of seeing the same person leading and guiding them. It literally takes a village to raise a child,” Hornbeak says. “It’s our job to figure out how to encourage and inspire them.”

She is especially gratified when alumni return to visit or support the club with donations.

“Some of the really, really challenging ones come walking back into the club today, bringing me their own children!” she says.

Hornbeak is effusive in her praise for the club’s volunteers: “If not for them right there on the battlefield with us fighting for these babies, we couldn’t do it.”

Asked if she’s eyeing retirement any time soon, Hornbeak, 68 — she cheerily suggests a reporter revise a query to, “How young are you, Miss Molly?” — says she’s right where she belongs.

“I’m of the mind that this is something I’m supposed to do, according to my God and my belief. I am as excited today about this organization as when it was first started,” she said. “As long as I feel like good things are happening here, I don’t need to be thinking about retirement.”

“MISS MOLLY” HORNBEAK IS A BLUFFTON BOYS & GIRLS CLUB MAINSTAY

GOLD STANDARD

BY CLAY BONNYMAN EVANS | PHOTOS BY RUTHE RITTERBECK

Humans have a deeply embedded, natural fear of apex predators in their environment. So, when it comes to the ocean, it’s no surprise that sharks haunt the human imagination.

Thanks in part to Peter Benchley’s best-selling novel “Jaws” and the blockbuster Steven Spielberg movie it spawned, fears about sharks went into overdrive in the mid-1970s with devastating consequences for shark species and their ocean environment.

But Hilton Head High School senior Delcie Swift has a message for anyone afraid of sharks: they really aren’t scary or particularly dangerous.

“I want to teach people not to be afraid of sharks,” she says. “The occasional shark bite does happen, but it’s so unbelievably uncommon.”

When Delcie began to consider projects for a Gold Award — the highest recognition given by the Girl Scouts of America — she decided she wanted to educate the public about sharks. On a suggestion from shark expert Kim Ritchie, associate professor of Natural Sciences at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, Delcie zeroed in on educating elementaryage kids.

Three years later her in-depth project, “Sharks of the Low Country,” has been adopted as an educational tool in the Coastal Discovery Lab at Hilton Head’s Coastal Discovery Museum. The display includes a shadow box and five containers full of shark-tooth fossils; charts describing shark anatomy, skin and how to identify species from tooth fossils; information about threats facing sharks; craft activities; and a guide to shark species found in Hilton Head waters.

“It has been a wonderful sense of accomplishment to hear from museum volunteers that my display is wildly popular among kids,” Delcie, 17, says. “I feel like I’ve made an impact on the age groups I hoped to reach.”

On top of that, on Sept. 15 she received the prestigious Gold Award for the project. Given to just 5.4 percent of scouts, the award often grants advanced rank for recipients upon enlistment in the U.S. military.

Though born elsewhere — “All I can remember is living in a city, and not liking it,” she says — Delcie moved to Hilton Head with her family when she was 6.

She quickly discovered her deep love for the ocean and the beach.

“I grew up with turtles. Since I was 6, I was wandering around with (Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head) and doing conservation projects involving “bees, bats and sharks,” she says.

Her father, James Swift, director of golf at Sea Pines Country Club, had her on the water from a young age, even teaching her to pilot a boat.

“He never put caution tape up around me,” Delcie says.

While working around marinas and docks, she realized how many people were “absolutely terrified” of sharks, based on ignorance about a critical part of the ocean ecosystem.

“It wasn’t fair, but they just didn’t understand,” she says. “When you think about it, you are going into their home.”

Shark bites on humans are rare, with just over 3,000 confirmed unprovoked attacks worldwide since 1580 (about seven a year), according to the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida Museum. Most bites are not fatal: just one of the 47 attacks documented in the United States in 2021 resulted in a fatality. And the lifetime risk of death from shark attack in the United States is 1 in 4,332,817 — more than 50 times less than the risk of being killed by lightning.

“Sharks are animals. They are curious, and the only sensory organs they have is their mouth and the front of their nose. So, they feel things, they bite things,” Delcie notes. “People who are bitten are just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” such as when sharks are feeding on fish.

But on the disastrous flip side, humans kill an estimated 100 million sharks every year, many illegally.

“Between overfishing and the finning industry, sharks are often caught by mistake, and instead of being released fishermen cut off their fins to sell on the black market,” she writes in the project. “Without their fins, sharks drown after being thrown back.”

A two-sport athlete, Delcie plays center for the Seahawks basketball team and is a highly rated softball pitcher. She hopes to receive a softball scholarship and study marine biology in college.

“I’ve known for a long time I wanted to build a career in marine conservation, and I wanted to share that with my community,” she says.

The shark project, she says, “has made me confident that I’ve chosen the right career path.”

HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR DELCIE SWIFT EARNS AWARD FOR EDUCATIONAL PROJECT ON SHARKS

TIMELINE

2022 JANUARY

JANUARY: The Lowcountry was welcomed to the New Year with a powerful overnight storm on Jan. 3 that left thousands without power. Severe storms and a cold front brought heavy rain and heavy wind. Wind gusts reached 49 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

LOOKING BACK AT LOCAL HEADLINES

STORY BY ANTHONY GARZILLI

Hilton Head Island Land Trust conducted a contest to name the pair of eagles that were part of its popular “Eagle Cam.” After more than 400 submissions, the eagles’ names selected were Harriet and Mitch, named after Underground Railroad crusader Harriet Tubman and General Ormsby M. Mitchel, who founded the Town of Mitchelville on Hilton Head Island.

Beaufort County adopted a revised redistricting map. The biggest changes pertained to the historic Gullah neighborhoods on Hilton Head Island. Of the island’s 14 Gullah neighborhoods, 12 were kept together in their entirety in District 10. Spanish Wells was split between Districts 10 and 11, while Chaplin ended up entirely in District 11. District 8 occupies a smaller portion of Hilton Head because of those changes.

Hayden Gregory was hired as Bluffton High School’s new varsity football coach.

FEBRUARY: Celebration was in order as Hilton Head Christian Academy’s girls basketball team won the SCISA Class AA state crown. Skylar Smith and Tamya Hutchinson each scored 13 points in the 45-34 win over Orangeburg Prep.

Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka won a defamation lawsuit against local government critic Skip Hoagland. She was awarded $50 million in damages. A jury ruled that Sulka would receive $40 million in actual damages and $10 million in punitive damages from Hoagland.

TO APRIL

Improvements were earmarked for the island as Islanders Beach Park at Folly Field Road planned to get a new pavilion that will give visitors with disabilities or other special needs a chance to enjoy views of the beach. The pavilion will feature a wide entry path for wheelchair access and benches for seating.

MARCH: The war in Ukraine was felt in the Lowcountry as Illia Ovcharenko, a 20-year-old native of Chernihiv, in northern Ukraine and only 110 miles from the Russian border, took second place at the Hilton Head International Piano Competition.

Jeff Prekop, who runs a dog-grooming business on Hilton Head Island, helped animals in Ukraine. He drove animal relief supplies from locations outside the country to a central camp in Ukraine. Supplies were then distributed to locations across the country.

Good times returned after a two-year hiatus as Hilton Head’s St. Patrick’s Day parade marched down Pope Avenue on March 13. Allan and Gloria LaCoe were the grand marshals.

Local icon Stan Smith was presented the Order of the Palmetto by Gov. Henry McMaster. The award is presented in recognition of a lifetime of extraordinary achievement and service.

APRIL: The RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing returned at full capacity and the patrons were rewarded with a memorable event. Jordan Spieth won the tournament, defeating Patrick Cantlay in a playoff.

The Lowcountry mourned the loss of Andrew Farbman, owner of Amigos Cafe Y Cantina in Bluffton, who was killed after he was struck by a car when walking on Spanish Wells Road on Easter Sunday. A Hilton Head Island resident, Farbman, 62, was known for his business acumen and his friendly demeanor.

Improvements to the area moved forward as Hilton Head’s airport got the go-ahead from Beaufort County Council for a terminal upgrade. The project will include approximately 43,000 more square feet for terminal space, three jetways for passengers, new parking, security upgrades, all-new baggage claim, a new grand hall and a four-lane passenger drop-off and pick-up area.

2022 MAY TO

MAY: The national spotlight was on our area as NBC’s “Today” was broadcast in front of a live audience May 20 from a house on the beach. The show’s “3rd Hour” featured Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer. The crew went on a fishing adventure, rode with the Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island, celebrated Melvin’s birthday and enjoyed local whisky.

Short-term rentals were a hot topic and in May the town of Hilton Head moved ahead with a plan — enforceable Jan. 1, 2023. The ordinance includes a variety of initiatives. “The ordinance will help create a balance to ensure residents, short-term rental owners and guests are all able to enjoy the island,” the town said.

Another initiative moved closer to being finalized this month as the town reviewed plans proposed for the MidIsland Tract and overall Mid-Island Initiative Area. Mayor John McCann believes the plans for the 103-acre mid-island community park will “transform” the island. Plans were approved in November.

Educators got a raise as county Board of Education approved the authorization to pay a 3% cost of living increase to full-time active employees.

Beaufort County Council voted to stop the collection of school impact fees and provide refunds for people who have

paid them. The decision was not without some opposition. David Striebinger, school board chair, and superintendent Frank Rodriguez released a letter arguing against the decision. Refunds for the fees will be distributed to property owners in the order they were collected.

JUNE: The Lowcountry keeps growing, with Bluffton and Hardeeville continuing to show growth. The U.S. Census Bureau said Bluffton ranks No. 1 and Hardeeville No. 8 among the fastest-growing cities based on population. Hardeeville saw a 14.3 percent increase; Bluffton’s went up 12 percent.

Hilton Head Island Town Council approved the fiscal year 2023 consolidated budget on June 7. The $119.5 million budget will reduce property tax millage for town property owners from 28.10 mills to 23.10 mills – an 18% decrease, a news release said.

State lawmakers reached agreements that will impact the Lowcountry, including reduced tax rates and rebates for many South Carolinians. A spending plan clears the way for I-95 to be expanded to six lanes to Walterboro from the GeorgiaSouth Carolina border.

JULY: Athletics was in the spotlight as the USC Beaufort Department of Athletics was officially approved as provisional members of NCAA Division II. The school joins the Peach Belt Conference.

Congaree Golf Club in Jasper County announced it would

Hilton Head Island Town Council approved final reading of an ordinance that redraws the boundaries for the island’s six Town Council wards.

SEPTEMBER

host The CJ Cup in October. The event featured a 78-man field and 20,000 fans. Rory McIlroy won with a 1-shot victory.

The Hilton Head Island Airport received $12 million in additional funding for the estimated $53 million terminal upgrades in the South Carolina State budget. The project is estimated to be completed in mid-to-late 2025. The airport at this point received $33 million overall.

In local news that grabbed national attention, former Lowcountry attorney Alex Murdaugh was indicted on two counts of murder in the June 7, 2021, killings of his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, 52, and his son, Paul Murdaugh, 22, state law enforcement said. Alex Murdaugh, 54, has denied having any role in the deaths. The indictment accuses Murdaugh of killing his wife with a rifle and his son with a shotgun. He was also charged with two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

AUGUST: Stephenie Price resigned as police chief of the town of Bluffton. Captain Scott Chandler was named interim chief. Price had been chief of police since Oct. 12, 2020.

Bluffton’s Anne Fernandez shot a 4-under par 206 to win the Jimmy Self Invitational hosted by the Palmetto Dunes George Fazio Course. Fernandez won the girls 13-18 division. She won by 28 shots.

An 88-year-old woman in Sun City Hilton Head was killed by an alligator Aug. 15, the Beaufort County Coroner’s office said. The body was discovered near the

pond in Sun City. The alligator, a 9-foot, 8-inch male, was removed from the pond and euthanized.

Hilton Head Island Town Council passed an ordinance allowing lower-speed e-bikes on the Town’s public pathways. The ordinance requires that safety information regarding the use of all bicycles be given to anyone who rents or purchases a bicycle on Hilton Head Island.

SEPTEMBER: There were anxious moments this month for residents of the Chimney Cove Village, but they were not expected to be evicted in September, as originally planned. Eviction notices to residents of the low-income apartment complex on Hilton Head Island were rescinded, according to a letter they received from management.

The Board of Directors of Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity unveiled the house named in honor of retired President and CEO, Pat Wirth. During her years of dedicated service, 54 houses were built in Bluffton and 14 houses were built in Ridgeland.

The football number worn by Dwon “D.J.” Fields Jr. will not be worn again after Bluffton High School retired his No. 55. A ceremony was held Sept. 16. Fields was shot and killed March 2021.

A proposal to allow golf carts on multi-use paths on Buckwalter Parkway and Bluffton failed to move ahead. The ordinance failed on a Beaufort County Council first reading with a 5-5 vote. Those voting against the proposal cited safety concerns.

2022 OCT-NOV.

OCTOBER: The Lowcountry mourned the loss of an icon as Steve Carb, who changed the restaurant scene in the area, died at the age of 63. He helped found the SERG Group, which became the island’s largest employer.

“His impact on our restaurants and the hospitality and tourism industry on Hilton Head Island has been substantial,” the SERG Group said.

LaVerne Stewart, who teaches English Language Arts at Hilton Head Island Middle School, was named Beaufort County’s 2022-2023 District Teacher of the Year. Stewart has 22 years of teaching experience.

Hilton Head Island again earned accolades as Condé Nast Traveler said Hilton Head Island was chosen as the No. 1 island in the U.S. for the sixth consecutive year in its 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards.

Storm season became a threat as the effects of Hurricane Ian were felt in the Lowcountry, but it did not directly hit the area. There was no major impact according to officials. Sustained winds of 38 miles per hour and gusts of 52 miles per hour were recorded on Hilton Head Island. Beaufort County saw about 1.5 inches of rain.

Chris Blankenship was named fire rescue chief for the town of Hilton Head. Blankenship came to Hilton

Head Island Fire Rescue as a college intern in 2001. He was promoted to senior firefighter in 2004 and captain in 2014. In 2018, he was named Deputy Chief of Operations.

NOVEMBER: Voters in the Lowcountry went to the polls. On the island, incumbent Patsy Brison (Ward 2) and Tamara Becker (Ward 4) won. Steve Alfred won Ward 5. The race for island mayor went to a runoff between JoAnn Orischak and Alan Perry, with Perry winning.

For county school board, Elizabeth Hey won District 10. In county council races, Tab Tabernik (District 6) and Tommy Reitz (District 11) were winners.

A topic of discussion all year was brought back to the forefront when a workforce housing framework was adopted by the town of Hilton Head. The plan includes collaboration, planning, management, and finding funding.

Earlier this fall Beaufort and Jasper counties, along with the participating municipalities, pledged $3.4 million to support the production and preservation of affordable housing for workers critical to the region’s infrastructure like teachers, law enforcement officers, first responders and service industry workers.

U.S. 278 CORRIDOR PROJECT MOVES FORWARD

BURGEONING BRIDGE PLANS

BY MARK E. LETT

Hilton Head and Beaufort County leaders are determined to complete the picture for a building a new, much-debated bridge connecting U.S. 278 with the island.

It’s a commitment that calls for cooperation, communication and a lot of cash.

Once completed — and the goal is 2028 or early 2029 — the six-lane bridge is expected to improve traffic flow, enable bicyclists and pedestrians, enhance safety and satisfy a laundry list of government specifications.

Replacing four, two-lane bridges with a single, six-lane span is seen as an antidote to maddening congestion from breakdowns, accidents and periods of high-tourist traffic. The expansion also is intended to ease the comings and goings of workers essential to island commerce. More than 60,000 vehicles currently cross the bridges each day.

Among the engineering and construction tasks: securing the bridge in bedrock — beneath the water and gooey

pluff mud — to better withstand hurricanes and earthquakes.

The price tag: Some $320 million, assuming timetables are achieved, and inflation is managed.

The path to a new bridge has had its share of twists and turns, including studies, public hearings and plenty of give-and-take among county-town-state stakeholders.

County and town councils in August agreed to establish a six-member commission to set criteria and recommend an independent firm to develop a plan to deliver the project. The county and town boards are expected to review a recommended firm next month.

At the core of the initiative is a stretch of bridge to extend between the Moss Creek and Spanish Wells communities. Government officials also plan an “endto-end” review of 278 from I-95 to the Sea Pines Circle. High on the to-do checklist is installation of a signal light system to sync and smooth traffic to and from the island.

“Essentially, this is a county project that profoundly affects the town,” said Glenn Stanford, a member of the Hilton Head Council since 2019.

A spokesman for the South Carolina Department of Transportation said SCDOT is project manager on behalf of the county. The state will “plan and manage construction through completion of the project,” said Pete Poore.

The project is awash in government acronyms, flowing from local to federal agencies with interest and responsibilities ranging from bridge construction to environmental protection. Satisfying those constituencies will require a focused choreography of listening, learning, sharing and collaboration.

“Coordinating all the stakeholders and the public through the project and to stay on task is essential,” said Jared Fralix, Beaufort County’s assistant county administrator for infrastructure.

Fralix said officials are committed to keeping the citizens informed along the way.

“There will be a lot of touchpoints,” for public review and input, he said.

Citizens tracking the project must navigate through state and federal agencies and programs with oversight. For example, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires such initiatives to pass a FONSI review (Finding of No Significant Impact). Agencies and involved parties include LATS (Lowcountry Area Transportation Study), SCDOT and STIP (State Transportation Infrastructure Bank).

“The project team has conducted four large public meetings, additional smaller public meetings, and presentations to the local governments,” said SCDOT’s Poore.

Finding a way through the acronyms and agencies begins with the six-member committee’s assignment to select a consultant for the independent study. The committee includes three staff members from the county and three from town.

Officials said they expect a recommendation within nine months after a consultant begins work on the independent study. Citizens will have the opportunity to meet with the consultant and review recommendations, officials said.

“There will be interim reports as the independent review moves through the process, as well as final reports,” said Shawn Colin, assistant Hilton Head Assistant Town Manager-Community Development. “These will allow for public input and review.”

The plan and the process face scrutiny from skeptical citizens. Steve Baer, a former member of the Hilton Head Town Council with nearly four decades of experience in engineering, has been among the most active challenging the project.

“My greatest concern is that our local politicians will prevent us from seizing the great opportunities this project provides,” Baer said. “As it stands, they cannot prove they have solved the congestion problem.”

As the project advances, Baer said, he remains “suspicious.”

Discussion of a new bridge has been around for more than five years, leading to a recommendation for a sixlane solution. Each existing bridge is more than four decades old. Fralix said the six-lane approach is the most efficient and cost effective.

In an uncertain economy with rising inflation, officials are concerned that construction costs might be difficult to predict with precision. The agreement reached between the county and town calls for a “value engineering” analysis to weed out unwanted costs.

County Council Chairman Joseph Passiment said, “we need to move forward as quickly as we can.”

“We hope to start construction in 2024,” said Passiment, a Sun City resident. “There will always be opposition and it’s always going to be a sore spot for some.

“In the end, I think this will be a wonderful enhancement to life in the Lowcountry.”

Bustling bluffton

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN TOWN

BY TIM WOOD | PHOTO SUPPLIED

BRIDGE AT CALHOUN FILLING UP

We’ve seen The Bridge at Calhoun take shape over the past year, and now developer Matt Cunningham said the mixed-use center at the corner of Calhoun and Bridge Street is finally full of activity.

The space’s building got certificates of occupancy in mid-October and filled up with residential and commercial tenants. Cunningham said the second-story living quarters have six of the 11 units occupied — three with residents and three being used as AirBNB rentals.

The Bridge’s six commercial units are also filling up. African-Caribbean eatery, Okan, is in the final stages of buildout, with the restaurant slated for a late February opening. Savannah men’s and women’s clothier J Parker Ltd is also constructing their first Lowcountry store, and Cunningham said the timeline is on track for a March 2023 opening.

last commercial partners by the end of December.

Art will be a focus at The Bridge, with two framed-in canvas spaces built into the building design to house a rotating lineup of local artists.

RIVER DOG COMING TO OLD TOWN

Local brewer River Dog has received preliminary plan approval from the Bluffton Planning Commission to open a 50,000-square-foot facility on Jennifer Court near the intersection of May River Road and Buck Island Road.

The building blueprint wraps around the Parker’s property, with a 20,000 square-foot brewery space and 30,000 square feet reserved for a food hall, retail space, tasting room, business offices, and a beer garden.

PLANNED PROJECTS COMING TO HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Cunningham said a home décor shop and a high-end lingerie shop are also set to open later in 2023. The two remaining spaces are both hot commodities, as the developer said he hopes to finalize negotiations on the

The plan was met with ardent opposition from neighborhood residents, especially from the Red Cedar Street homeowners that are adjacent to the proposed brewery. The Commission’s Aug. 24 preliminary approval was contingent on the developer addressing all community concerns around privacy and parking.

There are more approval stages before the plan goes before Town Council for a final vote. Co-owner Dawna Gray first made a proposal to return to the Jennifer Court location in 2018. This plan is two and a half times bigger than the earlier proposal.

MINI GOLF PLANNED FOR BLUFFTON

Lighthouse Lagoon is turning into one of the more epic development stories of the COVID era. The 1.3acre project, Bluffton’s first miniature golf course, is being built across from Station 300 in the lot next to Subway at Buckwalter Place.

The 18-hole miniature golf course was first announced in February 2021 with a planned summer 2021 opening. The development plan was approved by the town in August 2021, with a new opening date set for spring 2022.

Developers Billy and Collin Hubbard have endured one supply chain issue after the next. The basic concrete framing of the course was completed in July, complete with a lighthouse that, when painted, will be a mini

version of one on Hunting Island. But a delay in the course carpet combined with a construction worker shortage has pushed back the timeline further.

“It has been an epic journey. I was born here, I know there are few entertainment options that everyone in a family will enjoy,” Billy Hubbard said.

Hubbard said the latest delay is precast concrete storm drain piping that has been on back order for months. The site prep contractor is anticipating getting the piping on site in the next month.

Then they will construct the 1,300-square-foot building which will house golf clubs and balls, concessions and access to bathrooms. There will also be an 840-squarefoot pavilion to host parties of up to 40 people.

Hubbard said that if all pieces fall into place, they hope to have Lighthouse Lagoon open by March 2023.

ROASTING ROOM’S FINAL SHOWS

It has been a year of transition at The Promenade in Old Town, and that trend continues through the fall with the most seismic turnover just announced.

Bluffton is busy with Here’sprojects. a look at what’s going on.

PROPOSED

RIVER DOG BREWERY FACILITY

Owner Josh Cooke announced on Nov. 12 that The Roasting Room music venue will not be booking musical acts in 2023. The Room’s last shows will be right where they started in 2015, with acclaimed singer/songwriter Angie Aparo playing two shows on Dec. 22-23.

“I can’t pin any one thing as the reason we’re closing. It’s just a mix of a lot of events and signs that it was time,” Cooke said of the closure.

The Corner Perk owner will continue to own the space on the second floor of the caffeine epicenter of Old Town. Cooke said he has hired a new catering coordinator to focus on booking parties in the space.

“And if you want to throw a party with a local musician, I’m sure we can find a few thrilled to play in the space,” Cooke said.

Could The Roasting Room get a reboot down the road?

“This is the end of one chapter. We’re open to however the story continues to play out.”

Women’s clothing store Cocoon and gift shop Lily Bluffton both closed at the end of October. The Lily space will be used as office space, while the Cocoon space has been rented out for retail use.

Ben and Jerry’s closed at the end of summer and is being converted into a wine and charcuterie café. Corks closed

in July and is being converted into an upscale seafood, Crudo, by restaurateur Brian Behnke. Cookware shop Cassandra’s Kitchen opened next to the former Corks space in September.

MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLANNED

Bluffton is aiming to build more affordable housing units on a 1.78-acre site at 1095 May River Road. The town has formed a public-private partnership with developer Workplace State of Mind LLC, a group led by managing partner State Rep. Bill Herbkersman.

The plan is to build 12 affordable housing homes on the town-owned site, a purchase made in 2018 after 12 years of setting funds aside for such affordable housing land buys. Under the partnership agreement, the town will donate the land and reimburse the developer for the planning, permitting, design and infrastructure costs.

The neighborhood will be protected by a 30-year affordability covenant. That means the homes will be reserved for income-qualified buyers for 30 years.

The projected homes will be split among three Area Median Income categories — 60, 80 and 100 percent of the region’s median income, currently set at $76,480 for a family of two and $95,600 for a family of four.

RHETT

Age: 6 years old Gender: Male Weight: 60 pounds Breed: Pit Bull Temperament: Sweet. Playful. High energy. Strong handler required.

Of THE

MONTH P E TS

ADOPT THEM AT: NOAH’S ARKS RESCUE

Noah’s

For more information: 843-540-6755 OR GO TO WWW.NOAHS-ARK.NET

KEITH

Age: 6 years old Gender: Male Weight: 58 pounds Breed: Pit Bull Temperament: Sweet. Playful. High energy. Must be the only animal in home.

Arks Rescue specializes in helping animals with special needs. Meet these pets and their other adoptable animals by appointment only at 231 Hazzard Creek Village, Suite 3 in Ridgeland.

IN THE

know

LOWCOUNTRY VOTERS WENT TO THE POLLS, HILTON HEAD ADOPTED A WORKFORCE HOUSING PLAN, AND THE AREA’S SCHOOLS EARNED TOP SCORES. HERE’S WHAT MADE NEWS DURING THE PAST MONTH:

HILTON HEAD VOTERS ELECT NEW MAYOR

After a runoff on Nov. 22, Alan Perry was elected mayor of Hilton Head Island. Perry defeated JoAnn Orsichak (55.9544.05 percent).

Orischak and Perry needed a run-off because of the tight Nov. 8 election, which saw Orischak defeat Perry but not receive at least 50 percent of the vote.

The voter turnout for the runoff was 27.25 percent.

Also on the island, incumbent Patsy Brison (Ward 2) and Tamara Becker (Ward 4) won. Brison topped Steve Arnold (54.89-44.75) and Becker defeated Kim Likins (54.4445.43).

NEW COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Elizabeth Hey won the District 10 Beaufort County school board seat, defeating incumbent Mel Campbell and Peter Kristian. Hey earned 38.12 percent of vote, Campbell received 26.37 percent and Kristian earned 35.07 percent. Rachel Wisnefski (District 7) and Carlton Dallas (District 8) won unopposed school board seats. In County Council races, Tab

Tabernik won District 6 over Alphonso Small Jr., (67.90-31.94) and Tommy Reitz took District 11 over Cathy McClellan (65.04-34.94). Joseph Passiment (District 5), Paula Brown (District 8), Mark Lawson (District 9) and Larry McElynn (District 10) ran for unopposed County Council seats. Incumbent PJ Tanner retained his post as sheriff. He ran unopposed. Heather Galvin (probate judge), David Cadd (auditor), and Maria Walls (treasurer) ran unopposed. In Beaufort County, the voter turnout was 51 percent.

GREEN SPACE TAX APPROVED

Beaufort County voters approved a 1-percent Green Space sales tax to purchase land, conservation easements, and buy down density to slow and prevent development. The tax will begin in May. Officials estimated a penny tax will raise $100 million, with at least 40 percent coming from visitors and tourists. Exempted from the tax would be purchases of gas, medicine and groceries.

PLANS APPROVED FOR MID-ISLAND DISTRICT

Hilton Head Town Council OK’d the master

plan for the proposed Mid-Island District. The Mid-Island District Plan, which includes a 103-acre property that will be a gathering place for residents and visitors, will serve as the basis for the implementation of redevelopment strategies. For more information, visit hiltonheadislandsc.gov/ midisland/.

TOWN OF HILTON HEAD AGREES TO WORKFORCE HOUSING FRAMEWORK

Hilton Head Town Council voted unanimously to adopt a Workforce Housing Framework, which includes allocating $1 million annually for workforce housing, beginning with the current fiscal year. The framework includes four pillars, with each having specific goals and strategies. The pillars include engagement and collaboration; planning; establishing a management program and policies; and providing a “consistent, sustainable, and multi-sourced revenue model for funding workforce housing initiatives and partnerships.” For more information, visit hiltonheadislandsc.gov/ workforcehousing/framework/.

BELFAIR WEST

SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTS NEW CHAIRPERSON

Christina Gwozdz was elected new Beaufort County Board of Education chairperson after a special called meeting. The position was vacant when the former chair, David Striebinger, passed away. She previously served as chair from 20192021. Gwozdz has represented District 9 since January 2017.

DISTRICT SCHOOLS EARN HIGH MARKS

The S.C. Department of Education and the S.C. Education Oversight Committee released the 2022 School Report Cards with ratings of Excellent, Good, Average, Below Average, and Unsatisfactory. District schools at the elementary level that received an Excellent rating are Beaufort, Coosa, Okatie, and Red Cedar. Schools rated Excellent at the middle school level were H.E. McCracken and River Ridge Academy. Bluffton High School also received this top rating. A Good was earned by Bluffton Elementary, Michael C. Riley, Port Royal, Pritchardville, and River Ridge Academy. Schools rated as Good at the middle school level were Bluffton Middle and Riverview. Hilton Head Island and May River high schools were also designated with a Good rating. For more information, see the SCDE’s Report Card release at ed.sc.gov/newsroom/ news-releases/south-carolina-2022-report-cards/.

BEAUFORT COUNTY OFFERS SIGN-ON BONUS UP TO $7,500

Beaufort County Council approved sign-on and relocation bonuses for new hires in the detention center, emergency medical services department, and the sheriff’s office. The policy, effective for employees with a hiring date of Nov. 1 or later, will provide new employees with a sign-on bonus of $5,000, paid in two installments: $2,500 upon hiring and the other $2,500 after successfully completing a probationary period of employment. The policy also allows a $2,500 relocation bonus for eligible new hires. For more information, visit beaufortcountysc.gov/human-resources/index.html

RORY MCILROY WINS CJ CUP

Jasper County hosted the CJ Cup in Gillisonville, with Rory McIlroy earning the win. McIlroy closed with a 4-under 67 for a one-shot victory over Kurt Kitayama. He finished at 17-under 267, to win for the 23rd time on the PGA Tour.

HILTON HEAD HIGH WINS STATE TENNIS CROWN

Hilton Head High School’s girls won the SCHSL Class AAAA girls state tennis championship. The Seahawks defeated Greenville to claim the school’s first tennis crown since 2019. Emily Ruckno won the individual Class 4A/5A championship.

BELFAIR’S WEST COURSE REOPENS

The West Course at Belfair recently reopened following a $5.8 million, five-month golf course renovation. The project included a new irrigation system, re-grassing of greens, bunker renovations, as well as other projects to improve the award-winning course’s playability and aesthetics.

THE NEXT BIG THING?

BY BARRY KAUFMAN

WHAT’S AHEAD FOR BEAUFORT COUNTY’S ECONOMIC GROWTH

It’s funny to think back just a few years, when economic uncertainty was all around us, and it seemed like even the most learned experts were working with a hazy crystal ball. Fast forward through a pandemic and a few bumps in the road, and Beaufort County seems poised to flourish.

At least, we’d better. With a steady population growth of around 2,500 a year over the past few years, driven by a national trend toward the Southeast, Beaufort County’s population growth has certainly not slowed.

“The census growth alone over the last 10 years speaks to the economic vitality of our area, compared with other areas that are losing population,” said John O’Toole, executive director of the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation. “A lot of business owners (in other areas) are feeling squeezed out by policy. South Carolina is very attractive to them.”

With a larger population comes the need for more opportunities. Fortunately, this past year saw a few of the most promising opportunities we’ve seen in a while.

“One of the larger developments we’ve seen was the speculative building out in Beaufort, which had 64,000 square feet of commercial industrial space, and it was leased within two months of its certificate of occupancy,” said O’Toole.

That’s just one of the projects launched or announced in the past year that O’Toole points to as bright spots in our economic present. Beaufort’s Southern Carolina Landing Pad has already provided a home for SkyDrive, a Japanese firm looking to launch two-passenger drones by 2025. RxIndustries launched a fullservice CNC shop on Hilton Head representing a $9 million investment. Watterson Brands has continued to invest in the area, putting nearly $27 million into a new entertainment complex and brewery.

“These are the kinds of projects that make a splash,” said O’Toole. “But we’ve announced more than $250 million in investments and thousands of new jobs over the last five years. We’ve been able to boost a lot of smaller projects that bring in jobs without disrupting the Lowcountry environment, which we all value.”

Looking forward, O’Toole sees the rise in remote working continuing to make our area an attractive choice for businesses in a host of different sectors. But it’s the workers already trained here who might lead to the biggest boom.

“I’ve met with several large companies out of New York City and New England looking to bring tech jobs to Beaufort County,” he said. “We’ll continue to see a focus on that since there has been a real focus from the school districts, the Beaufort Digital Corridor, TCL and USCB to create centers of academic excellence within this area. It creates a talent pipeline that fuels economic development.”

Statewide, from September 2021 to this September, nonfarm jobs were up roughly by 90,000, according to the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.

O’Toole also points to our abundance of recently retired or separated Marines as a huge resource for companies looking to relocate. Without going into specifics, O’Toole hints that the Department of Defense is aware that our area produces more than 2,000 highly qualified Marines every year.

“Between the things we’re doing with longterm residents and separating military, we’re going to continue to be a choice for the remote worker, but we’ll also be a choice for that privately held company where ownership is frustrated with the business climate elsewhere,” he said.

The crystal ball has become a little clearer in recent years, and all signs point to a brighter future.

A

&

A

CHRISTMAS TREES HAVE BEEN A LOWCOUNTRY PILLAR FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS

VISITING THE TREE FARM OF THE YOUNGBLOOD AND DOE FAMILIES HAS BECOME AN AREA TRADITION FOR DECADES.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

BY AMY COYNE BREDESON | PHOTOS BY GUIDO FLUECK

The day after Thanksgiving is a big day for the Youngblood and Doe families, and it has nothing to do with Black Friday sales. It’s the day their Christmas tree farm opens for the season.

Cars fill the parking lot and line the road as families search for the perfect tree at A & A Christmas Trees in Okatie.

The family-owned tree farm has been in business for more than 40 years, and visiting the farm has been a tradition for many Lowcountry families over the decades.

“People want the experience of cutting down a tree with their family,” owner Anne Doe said. “People come to me and say, ‘I used to come out here with my parents, and now I’m here with my children.’”

In 2015, Doe’s parents, Jerry and Dianne Youngblood, gave the tree farm to her and her husband, Daniel Doe Jr.

Jerry began planting trees in the 1970s, and he sold their first crop in 1981. At the time, Dianne was pregnant with their first child, Ashley. Jerry recalled seeing his extremely pregnant wife cutting down a tree with an axe because she couldn’t find a saw.

They named their new business Ashley’s Christmas Trees, after their first child. When their second baby, Anne, was born, the Youngbloods renamed the business A & A Christmas Trees.

Now, of course, their younger daughter and son-in-law are running the show. While Jerry and Dianne are officially retired, they still help a lot on the farm.

“Dad’s out here working with Daniel during the season, and Mom helps with the kids,” Anne said.

Dianne continues to make bows for the wreaths they sell, but now she has the help of her daughter Anne. Her 7-year-old granddaughter, Trinity, also likes to decorate the bows.

Anne also works full time as a hair designer with The Hair Designers in the Village at Wexford on Hilton Head Island. She takes time off from the salon this time of year to keep the tree farm running smoothly.

Daniel does all the planting in January and February, and cares for the trees year-round. He grows and sells three types of trees: Leyland Cypress, Murray Cypress and white pine. The farm provides saws and carts for chopping down and hauling the trees.

Every year, the family sells about 400 of their hand-planted and carefully pruned field trees.

The farm also sells abouts 700 Fraser firs each year. Since it’s too warm to grow Fraser firs in the Lowcountry, the Does buy them from a wholesaler in North Carolina.

Customers can also purchase handmade wreaths, garland, swags and mailbox toppers at the farm.

“Anne and Daniel have done a really good job here,” Jerry said. “I’m proud of the business, but I’m proud of Anne and Daniel too.”

EVERY YEAR, THE FAMILY SELLS ABOUT 400 OF THEIR HAND-PLANTED AND CAREFULLY PRUNED FIELD TREES.

Anne said there has been a shortage of Fraser firs for the past seven years. She said sellers are either overselling or going out of business. A & A has worked with the same wholesale grower for almost 20 years. They have tried to double their order of trees, but the wholesaler is unable to fulfill the request.

Because of all the growth in the Lowcountry, there’s even more demand for Christmas trees.

And although Fraser firs are the more traditional tree for Christmas, the other varieties that are grown at A & A are also popular. The Murray Cypress is the second most popular type of tree they sell.

While Fraser firs feature the classic Christmas scent and strong branches for holding ornaments, the two types of Cypress trees grown at the farm have little smell and small, soft needles. The white pine trees, however, have a soft pine scent and strong branches with long needles.

Daniel is grateful for his father-in-law’s experience in the tree business. Jerry has graciously shared the tricks of the trade with him.

“He made the mistakes years ago, so I don’t have to make them now,” Daniel said.

The Does’ 14-year-old daughter, Kambria, is already showing an interest in the Christmas tree business. She wants to understand the process and enjoys learning about it from her father.

A & A Christmas Trees is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It’s best to arrive by 4:30 p.m. to have enough time to select a tree before it gets dark. For more information, call 843-304-4485, or go to aachristmastrees.com.

move on the

1. HILTON HEAD ISLAND NAMES DIRECTOR OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS

Natalie Harvey has joined the town of Hilton Head Island as its new Director of Cultural Affairs. She will develop a plan for enhancement of the entertainment, arts, culture, and heritage assets of the island. Harvey brings 25 years of experience to the position, spending those years at the Coastal Discovery Museum, where she held positions as vice president of history, vice president of programs, and most recently, vice president of collections and interpretation.

2. MEALS ON WHEELS WELCOMES BOARD MEMBER

Christopher Spires of Bluffton has been appointed to Meals on Wheels, Bluffton-Hilton Head’s Board of Directors. He brings more than 25 years of financial-planning experience. Spires will work to develop and implement an investment policy statement to align the agency’s investments and goals.

3. J. BANKS DESIGN GROUP NAMED A RISING GIANT OF DESIGN

J. Banks Design Group was ranked No. 18 in the 2022 Rising Giant of Design August issue of Interior Design Magazine. “Our client relationships, along with the hard work, talent, and dedication of our professionals, make J. Banks Design the dynamic firm that it is,” said Joni Vanderslice, president and owner.

4. ST. ANDREW BY-THE-SEA PASTOR ELECTED BISHOP

Rev. Dr. Robin Dease, senior pastor of St. Andrew By-The-Sea UMC on Hilton Head Island, was elected as a bishop of The United Methodist Church by delegates to the 2022 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference. Dease was appointed as senior pastor of St. Andrew By-The-Sea UMC in June 2021.

5. USCB HIRES WOMEN’S HOOPS COACH

Sharon Versyp, who led Purdue to four Big Ten Tournament championships and two NCAA Tournament Elite Eight

appearances in 15 years, has been hired as USCB’s women’s basketball coach. Versyp is the winningest coach in program history with 301 victories. Her overall record is 418-257, including stints at Maine and Indiana. In 2010 she was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

6. ASSISTANT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR HIRED BY HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Zenos T. Morris has joined the town of Hilton Head as assistant community development director. He will help oversee projects to enhance the quality of life for Hilton Head Island residents and ensure they reflect the island’s unique history, culture, diversity, and environment. In 2017, he joined the Court Atkins Group in Bluffton, where he was a project manager and senior project designer. During his 32-year career his work has included master planning and programming of public facilities and spaces.

7. HHI RECREATION SUPERINTENDENT TO RETIRE AT THE END OF 2022

The Hilton Head Island Recreation Association announced the retirement of Bob Rozek, Recreation and Operations Superintendent. He has worked for Island Recreation since 1992. Rozek organized adult and youth sports, gym and park rentals, and participated in many community events. He is best known for being the face of Island Rec Soccer and Basketball Leagues for 30 years, Island Rec said.

8. COFFEE ROASTER OPENS ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters is expected to open its brick-and-mortar space on Hilton Head Island in December. Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters is a women-owned, smallbatch coffee roastery, a news release said. It provides fresh-roasted coffee by the bag for wholesale and retail customers. The location is 21 Cardinal Rd Suite 105. For more information, visit HiltonHeadCoffee.com or @hhicoffeeco on social media.

HARVEY

SPIRES

VERSYP

MORRIS

9. FAMILY MEDICINE DOCTOR JOINS PALMETTO MEDICAL GROUP

Robert L. Smith, M.D., FAAFP, has joined Beaufort Memorial Palmetto Medical Group in Bluffton. Board-certified in family medicine, Dr. Smith comes to the Lowcountry from Finger Lakes Family Care in Canandaigua, N.Y., a practice which he founded in 2006. The Rochester, N.Y., native graduated with a Bachelor of Science in health and sports science from Wake Forest University.

10. HEAD AND NECK CANCER SURGEON JOINS MEMORIAL HEALTH UNIVERSITY

Fellowship-trained head and neck surgeon Dr. Robert Liebman has joined Memorial Health University Physicians Surgical Care. He is specially trained in transoral robotic surgery (TORS), thyroid and parathyroid surgery as well as salivary gland surgery.

SMITH

LIEBMAN DEASE

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE IS A WHIMSICAL FAMILY TRADITION

Hartland Monahan’s Christmas village is an ode to his father, Ernie.

Welcome to Ernieville

BY NINA GREENPLATE | PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN

THE ERNIEVILLE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE

IS OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M .

Montreal, December 1954. Edward (Ernie) Monahan, to the delight of his children, places a few tiny reindeer and other miniature Christmas figurines into an empty fireplace.

“We were excited when dad started putting it up,” remembers his son Hartland, recalling the moment with his brothers Glenn and Kim. “It was magical back then.”

A sweet and simple act unknowingly starting a 70-year tradition that’s grown piece by piece into a nostalgic playground.

In an ode to his now late father, Hartland has taken over this annual spectacle, and is now welcoming the Lowcountry community to take a peek. Beginning Dec. 1 and throughout the month, the WaterWalk Apartment lobby at Shelter Cove Towne Centre on Hilton Head Island will be home to his family’s whimsical Christmas village.

Hartland is a proud and sentimental son, father and poppy (grandpa) when setting up the more than 100 model replicas.

“I feel that my dad is there with me, working on some of my ideas,” says Hartland, a Hilton Head resident who competed in the National Hockey League in the 1970s and early 80s.

There are lights and movement in almost every building, ride and vehicle, as music and laughter play on. Hartland remembers his father finding pieces at yard and garage sales. He would barter, trade, and over time, gathered quite a collection.

“At one point, dad decided to build an addition onto his own home, just to accommodate his growing Christmas village,” says Hartland.

And when the holidays came around, Ernie would work through the night, for weeks, to complete it.

Sharing the collection was a natural extension of his father’s work and love for family. Throughout the years, Hartland’s wife, Linda, his children and grandchildren have all taken part in assembling Ernieville.

“Having my granddaughter, Sterling, take part in it is a great help,” he says. “She once said, ‘Poppy, wouldn’t

it be nice to start adding more pieces?’”

Oh, yes! And that he did. Family is his heart, and he talks of the joy it brings him.

His mom Agnes, daughter Mechelle and her family, son Shane, and youngest son Joey and his family, support their father’s vision and continued passion.

“We really began to outgrow the space it needed,” Hartland says, and soon the displays could be divided into separate landscapes.

He appreciates the WaterWalk’s staff for opening their space to the community.

“It is such a warm feeling to bring joy and happiness to all who step into that foyer,” smiles Hartland.

The Ernieville Christmas Village is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is free to the public. Collection for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital is an optional donation in the lobby.

PHOTO COURTESY HARTLAND MONAHAN.

HERE’S A GLIMPSE OF THE WHIMSICAL VILLAGE

Santa/Vail Village

Snow-covered ski mountains sprinkled with happy skiers and ski-doos, and more than150 decorated Christmas trees. Cozy chalets and children rolling snowballs, waiting for the hot chocolate vendor and their turn on the hot-air balloon ride. Reindeer and yuletide rides are ready to greet you, and, of course, that jolly old St. Nick. Listen closely for carolers singing.

Main Street

Busy streets with bars and businesses await. Two trolleys and several motor cars run through downtown’s white-lined streets. Moms with their children hurry to cross. There’s a heated hockey game on one of several ice ponds, and a rink of happy skaters. A tunnel opens to see the Polar Express train passing over a bridge, and city-sounds are heard throughout Main Street.

Churches

A community of faith denominations are represented here. A replica of the original Central Synagogue and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan brighten up this display.

Ocean

Surf shops, boats, and water all around. A sailor’s dream village, complete with three lighthouses, sand dunes, and a moving windmill. A large shrimping boat and sailing ships are nearby. Look for the group of fishermen hanging around the popsicle-stick docks, waiting for a catch.

Carnival

Movement is the word here. A fair like none other, as many familiar rides are on display: the World’s Fair Ferris Wheel, two balloon rides, a round-a-bout, parachute ride, roller-coaster, and the deadly spinning swing. Listen carefully for children screaming, ‘Weeeeeee’ and ‘I feel sick!’

A Chorus of Good Cheer

HILTON HEAD SHORE NOTES SING SONGS FULL OF HOLIDAY JOY

BY VICKIE MCINTYRE | PHOTO SUPPLIED

BY CLAY BONNYMAN EVANS

Ella Fitzgerald once quipped, “The only thing better than singing is more singing.”

That sentiment resonates with the Hilton Head Shore Notes, an all-female a cappella chorus that ushers in every holiday season by performing a repertoire of new and traditional holiday songs at local retirement homes.

“It’s just joyous,” says Marcia Cornell, who has been with the group for more than 20 years and currently serves as publicity chairperson. “We see a lot of happy faces in the audience.”

Clad in matching outfits that blend with the Christmas season’s emphasis on shades of red and green, the group always adds a bit of spice (perhaps distributing a cache of candy canes or twirling bright red boas) and humor (you’ll always spot a pair of reindeer ears or a festive Christmas tree on someone’s head) to liven up a performance.

“We try to make it interesting and fun,” explains Cornell.

While a group of five women started the Hilton Head Shore Notes back in 1997, today’s version consists of nearly 24 women who reside in Beaufort and Jasper counties, which is why the chorus recently moved their practice location from Hilton Head Island to the Okatee Baptist Church in Ridgeland.

Visitors and prospective new members are welcome to attend their Monday evening rehearsals.

In 2001, the group was chartered to be a chapter of Sweet

Adelines International, which uses the four-part harmony of barbershop quartets.

“I’m a tenor, which is the range of a first soprano,” says Cornell. “The lead sings the melody, the bass is the foundation of the chord, the baritone provides the intricate harmony, and the tenor is the high, light harmony.”

The Shore Notes are well known for their holiday performances, but they also produce an annual show with portions of their proceeds donated to a local organization’s music program.

They annually compete in the Region 9 Chorus Competition in Daytona, Fla., where they have won medals in the Small Chorus Division. Passionate about singing in the community, the Shore Notes ensemble recently participated in Hilton Head Plantation’s Veterans Day event.

Throughout the year either the entire chorus, a smaller ensemble or their in-house quartet is available for hire to perform at weddings, deliver singing Valentines and entertain at community and private functions. The Shore Notes, directed by Iris Christ, will kick off their holiday caroling at The Shops at Sea Pines Center on Dec. 1 before heading to The Bayshore, TidePointe, The Seabrook, The Cypress and Indigo Pines in the following weeks.

To learn more, visit hiltonheadshorenotes.com

community connection

PALMETTO ELECTRIC ANNOUNCES BRIGHT IDEAS GRANTS WINNERS

Palmetto Electric Cooperative and Palmetto Electric Trust awarded $44,133 in Bright Ideas grants to 49 teachers in southern Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties in 2022. Earlier this year, teachers submitted 85 proposals for innovative classroom projects. Area winners were: Bluffton Elementary School & Early Childhood Center, Dara Kappel, $982; Cross Schools, Heather Brougham-Cook, $898; Heritage Academy, Laurie Biggs, $989 and Lynn Owen, $860; Hilton Head Christian Academy, Amy Inglis, $970; Hilton Head Island High School, Matthew Pheiffer, $1,000; Corinne Spisz, $1,000; and Robert Stine, $1,000; Hilton Head Island IB Elementary School, Jill Fernandez, $800; Beth Stern, $393; and Wen Wu, $620; Hilton Head Island Middle School, Sarah Owen, $603; Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts, Jennifer Friend-Kerr, $900; Hilton Head Preparatory School, Laura Campbell, $1,000; Alyssa Gillis, $616; Louise Goodman, $910; Peg Hamilton, $1,000; Stephanie Pullon, $1,000; and Bethany Ramseur, $1,000; May River High School, Rhonda Platt, $500 and Joseph Williams, $1,000; St. Francis Catholic School, Troi Hopkins, $1,000; St. Gregory the Great Catholic School, Christina Cleveland, $1,000 and Megan Gunkle, $1,000.

LOWCOUNTRY YOUNGSTER WINS NATIONAL FINE ARTS COMPETITION

Jada Brantley, a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hilton Head Island, was selected by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America as a national winner in the National Fine Arts contest in the 9-11 age group for her multi-colored drawing titled “Distinguished Rhinoceros.” She is a

seventh-grade student at St. Francis Catholic School. Brantley received a framed certificate and a professionally framed copy of her artwork. Her artwork will be reproduced and displayed in BGCA’s online National Art Gallery.

CROSS SCHOOLS WIN GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY STATE CROWN

Bluffton-based Cross Schools won the SCISA Class A girls cross country championship. The win is the first varsity championship for Cross Schools, which began competing in varsity races three years ago. Top performances include freshmen Elizabeth von Maur (3rd place) and Maggie Drury (6th). The boys team placed second in the state, led by Moss Leroux (5th).

SECOND HELPING PRESENTS FOUNDERS’ AWARDS

The Wexford Foundation and Waterfall Farm were recognized by Second Helpings with its top awards. The Wexford Foundation was selected as Supporter of the Year for its longstanding financial support, including the purchase of a new refrigerated van this year. Since 2012, it has awarded over $2 million to local charities. Waterfall Farm was named Food Donor of the Year for providing more than eight tons of fresh produce since becoming a food donor in May.

TCL AWARDED FOR MARKETING EXCELLENCE

Technical College of the Lowcountry’s marketing department was honored with two National Council for Marketing and Public Relations Medallion Awards — a gold Medallion for its 2022 State of the College report and a bronze Medallion for its program flyers. TCL marketing staff members are Copeland, Mark Rand, graphic artist, and Mindy Lucas, public relations specialist.

COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT RECEIVES $65,000 GRANT

United Way of the Lowcountry awarded $65,000 to the Beaufort County Human Services Department to support housing access for children and adults facing homelessness or housing security. The funds are to be used to support housing stability services such as case management, housing navigation, landlord-tenant mediation and eviction-related legal services.

PLEDGE THE PINK RAISES OVER $715,000 TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER

The 12th annual Pledge the Pink breast cancer event raised more than $715,000. More than 1,500 attended the event at Fripp Island Resort in October. Pledge the Pink’s mission is to raise money for breast cancer screening, treatment, and research, and most of those funds remain in the Lowcountry.

HOSPITAL AUXILIARY HELPS SERVE COMMUNITY

The non-profit Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shops at Hilton Head Hospital and Coastal Carolina have holiday treasures that help serve the community by providing funds to assist patients with the cost of prescription drugs through the A.C.T. program. For gift shop hours, call 843-689-8459 or 843-784-8191.

WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY’S GRANTS THEME

Women in Philanthropy’s 2023 grants theme is, “Strengthening Mental Health Services for Children and Young Adults Through Age 21.” Nonprofits can submit grant applications at grantinterface.com. Applications are due by 4 p.m. Jan. 3, 2023. Visit cf-lowcountry.org

CROSS SCHOOLS

JADA BRANTLEY

FORMER PR DIRECTOR DAVID PEARSON HAS SOME ‘WACKY’ TALES TO TELL

David Pearson helped bring Sea Pines to prominence as its first director of public relations and advertising. Working for Charles Fraser from 1959-1963, Pearson led a unique and effective marketing campaign that put the focus on the island and inspired myriad memorable tales — or as Pearson told Monthly, “all those crazy, wacky, bizarre things that happened in those days.”

The stories behind some of those stories remain fresh for Pearson, who is president of David Pearson Associates, a marketing and public relations firm. In an effort to rekindle those memories, Pearson, 90, who lives in Florida, wrote dozens of short stories about some of those “wacky” times and shared them with Monthly. “I hope that it amuses and entertains, hearing some of things that happened, especially some of the characters that came here early on,” he said.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE STORIES PEARSON HAS SHARED:

PAVLOV’S ALLIGATOR

The island had been deserted since the Civil War except for the hunting lodge at Honey Horn Plantation on the north end. The south end was pristine, full of wildlife: turkey, feral pigs, rattlesnakes, deer, possum, raccoons, and all manner of bird life from painted buntings to blue faced boobies. But the king, the apex predator, was the alligator.

We were all fascinated with the toothy beasts which populated the canals, lagoons, and waterways of Sea Pines. Of course, we had no idea how dangerous they really were.

When John McGrath came aboard as Executive Vice President, he decided to try a little “Pavlov’s Dog” routine on a huge alligator we called Albert. He hunted around the lagoon next to the 14th green of the golf course. Every evening John would go to the kitchen of the William Hilton Inn and get scraps from Chef George. He’d then take them down to the lagoon, toss them in the water, and ring a big cow bell.

Dong went the bell and sure enough, over swam Albert, who quickly scarfed up the scraps. John repeated this routine for a couple of weeks.

Then one fateful night he told us he was going to ring the bell without the scraps.

We drove to the 14th green and looked around but didn’t see Albert. John rang the bell, and sure enough, out of the darkness swam Albert, right up to the bank below us.

SATURDAY EVENING POST

One of the early Sea Pines retirees was Charlie Pelham. He had been head man at a big New York ad agency and knew most of the people at national magazines.

He was a big help to me in figuring out how to put Sea Pines on the map (with a very low budget). We had made a half-hour color film of Sea Pines by trading a fairway lot to the Greenville production company.

Pelham lined up editors from several national magazines (Sports Illustrated, Saturday Evening Post, New York Times) to meet a couple of us in New York and see the film.

That resulted in some fantastic national exposure, starting with the Post, which sent a photographer down to get some shots. When we gave him a tour, we showed him Albert the alligator sunning on a fairway lagoon bank.

“Holy cow,” the photographer shouted, “that’s our model!”

The next day John, Donald O’Quinn and I snared the beast with a big rope and hauled him across the road to the golf course parking lot.

At that moment Charlie Fraser drove up, having just returned from a meeting with some bankers in Savannah.

He was still dressed in a suit and tie and wearing a summer straw hat.

The photographer told Charlie to stand next to Albert for a picture. As he approached the big gator, Albert decided he’d had enough of this foolishness, and began slowly walking back across the parking lot toward the lagoon.

Never one to miss a bright idea, Charlie started marching along next to Albert, umbrella and brief case at his side.

A few weeks later the picture appeared in a two-page spread in the Post. The series was called, “People on the Way Up,” and it featured Charlie and his Sea Pines “mascot,” Albert.

The following week our phone started ringing off the hook.

A WEDDING STORY

We had all gathered at the best hotel in Mary Stone’s hometown for her marriage to Charles “Charlie” Fraser, Founder and President of Sea Pines.

The groomsmen were John McGrath, Charlie’s former Yale Law School classmate and Executive Vice President of Sea Pines; Beryl Bernhard, another Yale friend of the groom’s, destined to become an honored Congressman from New York. Also present were Richard “Pete” McGinty, Sea Pines’ premier architect; Wally Butler, head of real estate sales and a native of Savannah; Joe Fraser, Charlie’s older brother; and David Pearson (me), the youngest, and Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for Sea Pines.

“We have to pull a joke on Charlie,” McGrath said. “It’s de rigueur. What can we do?”

After a couple of hours tossing out and rejecting inane ideas, we settled upon what perhaps was the most inane of them all.

We arranged for the hotel operator to call McGrath’s room at a certain time the day before the wedding, having made sure that Charlie was in the room at that exact time. At the appointed hour, Charlie and John were in the room discussing the big loan the company was going after.

Cue the “hotel operator,” which was being played by yours truly. Calling from my hotel room, I had the telephone in one hand and the cellophane wrapper from a pack of Chesterfield cigarettes in the other hand.

McGrath answered my call, paused for a moment, then turned to Charlie and said “Jeezo Peezo, Charlie! It’s the Aga Khan calling you from Sardinia!”

“Hello?” said Charlie.

“Mr. Fraser? I replied with a fake British accent, while crinkling the cellophane into the receiver, which sounded like static.

“Yes?” said Charlie.

“I apologize for calling you so abruptly, but this is very important. As you may know, we have purchased a large oceanfront property on the island of Sardinia, and we are developing it into a resort we call Costa Smerelda. Our board is meeting tomorrow on a critically important issue, and we would like to have you at the meeting. Of course, we would pay your fee and all your expenses; and I would have my Lear Jet fly you over.”

“Uh, uh, well…uh,” said Charlie.

At that point both John and I broke up laughing, blowing the whole charade.

Charlie didn’t speak to either one for the rest of the day.

THE FIRST WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL

The first of these LPGA events was played at Moss Creek Plantation, just over the bridge from Hilton Head Island.

Originally to be called the Ladies Masters, the name was changed after the Augusta National threatened a lawsuit if the name Masters was used.

The first tournament, played in 1976, was won by Sally Little, a willowy blonde from South Africa new to the women’s tour, in a most extraordinary way.

I was standing in the press room with the Australian beauty Jan Stephenson, the putative winner, as Little’s approach landed in a greenside bunker on the 18th hole. Sally needed to get up and down to force a playoff with Jan.

Instead, she lofted a sand shot two feet from the pin, and the ball rolled in. She won by one stroke.

Stephenson couldn’t believe it. She broke into tears.

What a finish!

THE ACCORDION’S ON FIRE!

Tom Caudle and I were two young bachelors who rented a small house in Forest Beach. Tom was the Sea Pines treasurer, and I was head of public relations.

As you might imagine, the house was the site of many a late-night party.

On one typical summer night, we had invited a few friends and vacationers over for a few drinks.

The entertainment was going to be provided by me and my piano accordion. After a few drinks, I decided

to pull it out of the case. I noticed right away that a few of the ivory keys were stuck down. As the summer humidity on Hilton Head was high, I realized the felts on the keys were swollen up.

When this had happened once before, I placed the accordion into the oven and turned the heat on low. After a few minutes I pulled it out and voila!... the heat had dried out the felts, and the keys were unstuck.

So, remembering that success, I put the accordion into the oven. But instead of staying nearby, I returned to the living room, where the party was going full blast. I must also admit that after another couple of drinks, I totally forgot about the accordion in the oven.

Suddenly someone in the kitchen yelled, “The accordion’s on fire!”

I dashed into the kitchen, which was now full of smoke, and whipped the accordion out of the oven. I threw a glass of water on it, quenching the flames coming out of the bellows. The acrid smell of smoke lasted for days.

That turned out to be the entertainment for the night.

The coda to this story is this: A year or so later, I married a girl named Anne Bates from St. Louis. I brought her to Hilton Head and we took over the little house from Tom Caudle.

One day Anne was talking to a young woman who lived on the island. When Anne said she was married to David Pearson, the woman said, “Who? Is that the same David Pearson who burned up his accordion?”

The story had become a legend in its own time.

‘WELCOME TO BEING A MOVIE STAR’

Maybe the best picture Robert Mitchum ever made was “Cape Fear” with Gregory Peck and Polly Bergen, filmed in its entirety in Savannah.

Since I was the PR man for Sea Pines on nearby Hilton Head Island, I had the idea of inviting the cast to the resort for the weekend. Mitchum and child star Lori Martin took us up on the invitation. Lori rode horseback on the broad Lowcountry beach, while Mitchum went fishing on John McGrath’s charter boat, The Adventure.

Later over cocktails with the development team, Mitchum invited me to visit him on the movie set in Savannah.

On the agreed upon day, I arrived at the downtown square where the movie was being shot. When Mitchum saw me, he called me over and we both went to lunch in a nearby cafeteria. I remember he ordered she-crab soup. Our booth was next to the waiting line, and two older Savannah matrons were

CHARLES FRASER FAMOUSLY WALKS ALONGSIDE ALBERT THE ALLIGATOR

leaning over the divider, eavesdropping on our conversation. Without missing a beat, Mitchum suddenly inserted a stream of foul language into the story he was telling me. When the first “bastard” came out, the ladies jumped a foot, shocked, and quickly moved away from our booth.

“That’s how I get rid of nosy people,” he said calmly.

As he wasn’t in any more of the day’s shots and had the afternoon off, we went to his suite in the nearby De Soto Hotel. The lanky Mitchum lay on top of his bed while I sat in a chair facing him. For the next three hours we drank beer while he regaled me with story after story of Hollywood – making movies on location, gossip about other stars, what he had learned as an actor – including a very sad story about his early years.

At one point in his youth, Mitchum wound up in Savannah and got himself picked up by the police. As he didn’t have a job, a home address or a driver’s license, they threw him in jail as a vagrant. “I was actually on a chain gang,” he reminisced, “stripes and all. I guarantee you it was no fun. So I’ve been here before, under slightly different circumstances,” he said.

That evening we went to dinner along the Savannah Riverfront, joined by his strapping 6’4” bodyguard, whom he called his assistant.

Why he needed one became apparent after an hour of drinks, when a nearby patron, obviously plastered, began to harass Mitchum with remarks like, “You’re not such a big deal.” When it became impossible to ignore the guy any longer, the bodyguard simply walked over, picked him up, and walked him on tippy-toes out the door.

“A typical dinner out,” Mitchum said. “Welcome to being a movie star.”

BILLY, JIMMY AND THE SALAMANDER

In 1959, my wife Anne’s parents had given us a little Morris

Minor station wagon as a wedding present. I already had a Hillman Minx convertible, which we then sold to Lou Caye, a widow from Atlanta with two teenage children.

Lou’s son, Billy, had just gotten his driver’s license, so he and his buddy Jimmy Richardson tooled around the island in the convertible. One day they were driving down the road when a green salamander popped his head up between the seats in front. Billy and Jimmy flew out the doors as the car careened into a ditch

Anne and I happened to be driving by shortly after this, and saw the car in the ditch, both doors wide open. We found out that when the boys saw the lizard, they flew out the car and ran away.

The next day as we were driving by Brother Roller’s Esso station, we saw the car, high on the rack with both doors, the hood, and the back window wide open.

They were trying to get rid of the salamander, who then apparently left.

Whew.

THE MOTHMANS’ SOLUTION

A New York couple named Mothman discovered the William Hilton Inn on their annual winter drive down the Ocean Highway (U. S. 17) to Florida. The first year they were given an oceanfront room which had a small tree outside.

The tree hosted a mockingbird’s nest, and the musical bird awoke at dawn every morning, singing its heart out.

Unfortunately, that was too early for the Mothmans to awaken, so they requested to be assigned another room. They were given one in the 400 building, also on the ocean. The problem there was their next-door neighbors, who partied all night.

The Mothmans’ solution to these problems the following winter was to take all the rooms in the 400 building, thus leaving them with the entire building empty except for themselves.

Photo: Wikicommons

FIRST SEA PINES LOAN

John McGrath convinced Charles Fraser that Sea Pines needed long-term financing, and they found a potential source in the Phipps Family Estate. Their representative’s office was in Atlanta.

John developed the formal request for funds, including a detailed pro forma on where the requested funds would go if they got the loan. It was impressive: new subdivision development, insect control program, lagoon, gates, etc.

The request was a success; they got a loan of $1.2 million.

When the funds arrived, the first thing Charlie did was to buy a matched pair of Tennessee walking horses and a 19th century landau carriage.

Of course, he then had to build a barn for the horses and carriage.

And hire a groom to take care of the horses.

And on and on with the kind of purchases that drove McGrath out of his mind.

“Jeezo peezo Charlie,” John would say (he never cussed), “this isn’t how we told them we’d spend the money!”

Charlie may have been a creative genius, but he certainly was no wizard at finance.

Photo: Wikicommons

Baseball was a popular pastime with Union prisoners as seen in this lithograph by Act. Major Otto Boetticher. Salisbury, N.C. 1863

Image : Wikimedia Commons

CIVIL

CONTEST BEGINNING OF HILTON

WAR-ERA

HEAD’S

DEEP BASEBALL HISTORY

BY EDWARD THOMAS

Remarkable as it may seem, Hilton Head Island played a key part in the infancy of baseball.

The sport made its island debut on a balmy Lowcountry Christmas Day in 1862, witnessed by a throng of multiple thousands of spectators comprised of Union Soldiers, Confederate Prisoners of War, civilian construction workers and local Black native Islanders who had recently been given their freedom by the occupying Union Army.

In fact, there are some historians who claim the crowd that watched that memorable Christmas Day game was the largest ever assembled to view a sporting event in North America during the 19th century.

Estimates range upwards to 40,000 spectators.

The thought of such a crowd on that location gets a chuckle today from Dan Driessen, Hilton Head Island’s first genuine baseball hero, who 100 years later grew up playing ball on the same headlands overlooking Port Royal Sound where the original 1862 game was played.

“I can’t imagine that many people watching a ball game on that piece of land,” says Driessen, who made a name for himself as a teenager in the 1960s on Blue Jay Field near the end of Beach City Road just a few years before he became a standout in two World Series championships for the Cincinnati Reds in the 1970s.

The Christmas Day Game

The Christmas game in 1862 was made up of soldiers attached to two different Union Regiments based out of New York City, including a team comprised of soldiers from the 47th and 48th Infantry Regiment.

The opposing team was comprised of players from a light infantry unit, the 165th New York Volunteer Infantry. The unit’s uniforms included baggy pants and ornamented jackets plus white spats that featured blue tassels, according to historian Alex Sanders, author of, “How Baseball United America After the Civil War.”

Sgt. A.G. Mills, who 20 years later became president of the National League, played for the 165th Regiment.

One of the earliest known photographs of a baseball game was taken inside Fort Pulaski in 1862 when a photographer took a photo of members of the 48th New York Volunteer Infantry and also caught the baseball game in the background.

Photo : Wikimedia Commons

The results are fuzzy, but it appears from a report by a Hilton Head newspaper at the time, “The New South,” that the “Frazer” club, led by Col. James L. Frazer of the 47th, was victorious, although no score was reported.

A report in the “History of the Second Battalion, Duryee: Zouaves, 165th New York Volunteer Infantry,” states, “Christmas Day; the men had quite a time in a game of ball with other troops here.”

A Game of Significance

By the 1860s baseball had begun to evolve from its origins with the mid-1840s New York City-based Knickerbockers, one of the first organized teams. They played in Manhattan and then across the Hudson River in the celebrated Elysian Fields of Hoboken, N.J., which still claims to be the “birthplace of modern baseball,” not Cooperstown, N.Y.

Hilton Head’s Christmas Day Game was one highlight of baseball during the Civil War and a spark for future growth.

Many sports historians credit the war itself as being the reason baseball became so popular in the latter half of the 1800s and into the 20th century, earning it the moniker “America’s Favorite Pastime.”

George Kirsch, a noted baseball historian — author of “Baseball in Blue and Gray” — records that “this new game of baseball” became a vital part of the lives of many soldiers and civilians during the war years. Survivors brought the game back to their hometowns in the North and South.

“Those who played baseball in training camps or prison camps often did so in peaceful farm fields that might have been, or soon would become a bloody battlefield,” he writes.

According to Michael Aubrecht, another historian of that period: “By the time the war was over, nearly every soldier, Union and Confederate, had been exposed at some time to baseball. Factory workers from the North and farmers from the South alike returned home knowing how the game of baseball was played. The recognition of baseball as the national pastime naturally ensued.”

Although professional teams soon developed in the North (The Cincinnati Reds becoming the first in 1869), there were numerous cotton mills and textile companies in the South that developed their own leagues.

One of the most famous of players who came out of the mills was “Shoeless Joe” Jackson, who went to work as a sweeper in a cotton mill near Greenville, S.C., and by the time he was 13 he was playing with adults on the mill’s baseball team.

When he was 19, Connie Mack recruited him to play for the Philadelphia Athletics. Shoeless Joe said he had been taught how to bat a ball by a Confederate veteran who had learned to play baseball in a Union prison camp.

The legendary Babe Ruth always attested that he became a great home run hitter because he copied Shoeless Joe Jackson’s swing and stance.

Baseball on Hilton Head Island

On Hilton Head Island the tradition of baseball appears to have held on despite the island’s hard times over the course of the next 60 years.

Prominent native Islander Morris Campbell, now in his 70s, recalls stories from his childhood about local neighborhood teams playing after church on Sundays

and holidays, with the best players taking bateaus across Calibogue Sound to play teams in Bluffton and Beaufort before the bridge was built in 1956.

There were three teams on the island: the Chaplin Hawks, Stoney Tigers and Spanish Wells BlueSocks.

“These teams were the pride and joy for many local communities,” says Campbell. “The only show in town!”

By the 1960s several club-semi-pro teams were organized throughout the Lowcountry, and one of the best was the Hilton Head Blue Jays, who had built their own ball field on the very spot where the 1862 game was played near present day Mitchelville.

For almost 20 years there were more than 20 teams in the Lowcountry representing communities like Bluffton, Grays Hill, Dale, Low Bottom, Burton and St. Helena’s Island.

During this time Driessen was discovered and recruited. He played 14 years in the major leagues on five different teams. Soon thereafter Henry Greene was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 1975, and then Gerald Perry (Dan

Driessen’s nephew) was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1978. Perry played 12 years in the majors, including stints with the Cardinals and Royals, and made the 1988 All-Star team.

Youth baseball (Dixie Youth and Little League) took over the local baseball scene beginning in the 1990s with Hilton Head winning the Dixie Youth Majors World Championship in 1999 in Texas.

Local high schools continue the tradition of excellent local baseball to this day, with several young players being drafted by major league teams in recent years, including Jason Frazier, Brian Harrison, Carmen Mlodzinski and Ryan Kelly, who made the major leagues in 2015 with the Atlanta Braves. Driessen coached Kelly at Hilton Head High School.

A 12-under Hilton Head Island team represented South Carolina in the 2021 Dixie Youth Baseball World Series.

H APPETIZER H (Tie)

Frankie Bones Bluffton 26 Discovery Dr., Bluffton frankiebones.com | 843-757-3423

H APPETIZER H (Tie)

The Bluffton Room 15 Promenade St., Bluffton theblufftonroom.com | 843-757-3525

H BARBECUE H

One Hot Mama’s American Grill 104 Buckwalter Pkwy, Bluffton onehotmamas.com | 843-815-6262

H BURGER H

Southern Barrel Brewing Co.

375 Buckwalter Pkwy, Bluffton southernbarrelbrewingco.com 843-837-2337

H BURRITO H

Mi Tierra Mexican Restaurant

27 Dr Mellichamp Dr., Bluffton mitierrabluffton.com | 843-757-7200

H CRAB LEGS H

Captain Woody’s Bar & Grill

17 State Of Mind St., Bluffton captainwoodys.com | 843-757-6222

H FRENCH FRIES H

R Bar & Grill

70 Pennington Dr., Bluffton rbarbluffton.com | 843-757-7264

H FRIED CHICKEN H

Cahill’s Market & Chicken Kitchen 1055 May River Rd., Bluffton cahillsmarket.com | 843-757-2921

H HEALTHY MENU H

First Watch

1121 Fording Island Rd., Bluffton firstwatch.com | 843-836-3333

H MARGARITA H

Agave Bluffton

13 State Of Mind St., Bluffton agavebluffton.com | 843-757-8226

H MILKSHAKE H

Joe’s Ice Cream & Beverage Co.

15 Bruin Rd., Bluffton joesicecreambeverage.com | 843-707-9514

H OYSTERS H

Bluffton Oyster Factory 63 Wharf St., Bluffton blufftonoyster.com | 843-757-4010

H PIZZA H

Local Pie Bluffton

15 State Of Mind St., Bluffton localpie.com | 843-837-7437

H SALAD H

Truffles Café 91 Towne Dr., Bluffton trufflescafe.com | 843-627-2287

H SANDWICH H

Alvin Ord’s Of Bluffton 1230 May River Rd., Bluffton alvinordsofbluffton.com | 843-757-1300

H STEAK H

The Bluffton Room 15 Promenade St., Bluffton theblufftonroom.com | 843-757-3525

H SUSHI H

Sakehouse Bluffton Japanese

Steakhouse and Sushi Bar

1017 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton sakehousebluffton.com | 843-706-9222

H TACO H

Agave Bluffton

13 State Of Mind St., Bluffton agavebluffton.com | 843-757-8226

H TAKE OUT/CURBSIDE H

WINGS H

H BAKERY H

H BAR/LATE NIGHT H

BARTENDER H

H BEER SELECTION H

lot 9 brewing co

258 Red Cedar St., Bluffton lot9brew.com | 843-757-5689

H BREAKFAST H

Cahill’s Market & Chicken Kitchen 1055 May River Rd., Bluffton cahillsmarket.com | 843-757-2921

H BREWERY H

lot 9 brewing co 258 Red Cedar St., Bluffton lot9brew.com | 843-757-5689

H BRUNCH H

Nectar Farm Kitchen Old Town 207 Bluffton Rd, Bluffton nectarfarmkitchen.com | 843-706-2337

H COUNTER SERVICE H

Sippin’ Cow Cafe & Grill 36 Promenade St., Bluffton sippincow.com | 843-757-5051

H CATERING COMPANY H

The Southern Peel thesouthernpeel.com | 315-263-8895

H CHEF H

Brandon Carter - FARM Bluffton 1301 May River Rd., Bluffton farmbluffton.com | 843-707-2041

H COFFEE SHOP H

Corner Perk Brunch Cafe & Coffee Roasters 1297 May River Rd., Bluffton cornerperk.com | 843-816-5674

H DELI H

Alvin Ord’s Of Bluffton 1230 May River Rd., Bluffton alvinordsofbluffton.com | 843-757-1300

H DESSERT MENU H

The Cottage Cafe, Bakery & Tea Room 38 Calhoun St., Bluffton thecottagebluffton.com | 843-757-0508

H EUROPEAN (NON-ITALIAN) H

The Cottage Cafe, Bakery & Tea Room 38 Calhoun St., Bluffton thecottagebluffton.com | 843-757-0508

H FINE DINING H

The Bluffton Room 15 Promenade St., Bluffton theblufftonroom.com | 843-757-3525

H RESTAURANT STAFF H

The Bluffton Room

15 Promenade St., Bluffton theblufftonroom.com | 843-757-3525

H SEAFOOD H

The Pearl Kitchen & Bar

55 Calhoun St., Bluffton thepearlbluffton.com | 843-757-5511

H SOUTHERN H

Cahill’s Market & Chicken Kitchen

1055 May River Rd., Bluffton cahillsmarket.com | 843-757-2921

H VEGETARIAN/VEGAN H

Avocado Bleu

21 Bluffton Rd., Bluffton avocado-bleu.com | 843-837-2538

H WATER VIEWS H

River House

1 Village Park Square, Bluffton palmettobluff.com | 843-706-6542

H FOOD TRUCK H

The Southern Peel thesouthernpeel.com | 315-263-8895

H WINE SELECTION H

The Bluffton Room

15 Promenade St., Bluffton theblufftonroom.com | 843-757-3525

HfavoriteH BLUFFTON’S RETAILERS

H BRIDAL BOUTIQUE H

Blush Bridal & Formal Wear

70 Pennington Dr., Bluffton blushbridalandformalwear.com 843-836-3500

H CHILDRENS CLOTHING H

Moonlit Lullaby 55 Bridge St., Bluffton moonlitlullaby.com | 843-837-6666

H CONSIGNMENT SHOP H

Coastal Exchange 1230 May River Rd., Bluffton coastalexchangehouse.com 843-815-4669

H FLORIST H

Berkeley Flowers and Gifts 108 Buckwalter Pkwy., Bluffton berkeleyflowers.net | 843-706-9747

H GIFT/NOVELTY STORE H

Bluffton Candles

3C Lawton St., Bluffton blufftoncandles.com | 843-304-3989

H GROCERY STORE H

Kroger

27 Discovery Dr., Bluffton kroger.com | 843–989–7022

H HARDWARE STORE H

Heuser Hardware at Buckwalter Place 29 Innovation Dr., Bluffton heuserhardware.com | 843-836-9999

H

HEALTH FOOD STORE H (Tie)

The Juice Hive 14 Johnston Way, Bluffton thejuicehive.com | 843-757-2899

H HEALTH FOOD STORE H (Tie)

Ulmer Family Pharmacy & Wellness Center 68 Bluffton Rd., Bluffton ulmerpharmacy.com | 843-706-4496

H JEWELRY STORE H

Golis Family Jewelers 1008 Fording Island Rd., Bluffton shopinde.com | 843-815-4367

H MEN’S STORE H

Vineyard Vines Outlet 1254 Fording Island Rd., Bluffton vineyardvines.com | 843-815-5393

H NEW BUSINESS H

Marsh on the May

43 Boundary St., Bluffton marshonthemay.com | 843-816-8482

H OUTDOOR STORE H

The Green Thumb - Bluffton 172 Bluffton Rd., Bluffton greenthumbhhi.com | 843-837-3111

H SHOPPING CENTER H

Tanger Outlets Hilton Head

1414 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton tangeroutlet.com | 843-837-5410

H

SPORTING GOODS STORE H

DICK’S Sporting Goods

1050 Fording Island Rd., Bluffton stores.dickssportinggoods.com 843-815-3000

H THRIFT SHOP H

God’s Goods Thrift Store

15 Centre Dr A, Bluffton godsgoods.org | 843-757-2024

H TIRE STORE H

All Pro Tire Pros

10 Kitties Landing Rd., Bluffton theallprotires.com | 843-815-5823

H TOY STORE H

Moonlit Lullaby

55 Bridge St., Bluffton moonlitlullaby.com | 843-837-6666

H WINE & SPIRITS STORE H

Bills Liquors & Fine Wine

1008 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton billsliquors.manifesthq.com | 843-815-5077

H WOMEN’S STORE H

Gigi’s Boutique

40 Calhoun St., Bluffton gigisbluffton.com | 843-815-4450

H AUTO DETAILING H

Palmetto Buff LLC

11 Parklands Dr, Bluffton palmettobuff.com | 843-949-8708

H AUTO REPAIR H

Morris Garage and Towing

1173 May River Rd, Bluffton morrisgaragebluffton.com | 843- 757-3357

H PHOTOGRAPHER H

Silly Goose Photography

8 Deep Lagoon Ct, Bluffton sgoosephotography.com | 843-384-3155

H CARPET CLEANING H

Alfred’s Carpet Cleaning facebook.com/Alfredscarpetcleaningandmore 843-290-8726

H EVENT PLANNING H

Hewitt Oaks: Weddings+Events+Retreats 205 Stillwell Rd., Bluffton hewittoaks.com | 843-757-4600

H HOME CLEANING H

Star Home Services 8 Spirea Lane, Bluffton starhomecleaning.com | 843-227-1952

H PERFORMING ARTS VENUE H

The Roasting Room

1297 May River Rd, Bluffton roastingroom.live | 843-368-4464

H TELECOMMUNICATIONS H

Hargray Communications

925 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton hargray.com | 843-815-1600

H TECH SUPPORT COMPANY H

SNS Technologies 49 Pennington Dr., Bluffton snstechnologies.net | 843-757-7873

BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS

H ACCOUNTANTS H

Robinson Grant & Co., PA

5 Belfair Village Dr., Bluffton robinsongrant.com | 843-815-6161

H ART GALLERY H

Society of Bluffton Artists

6 Church St., Bluffton sobagallery.com | 843-757-6586

H BANK H

SouthState Bank

1328 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton southstatebank.com | 843-837-2100

H CAR DEALERSHIP H

Stokes Toyota Hilton Head 100 Fording Island Rd., Bluffton stokestoyotahiltonhead.com | 843-815-0251

H

FAMILY PLANNING & ESTATE H

Mikkelson Law Firm

214 Bluffton Rd. Bluffton blufftonlawfirm.com | 843-757-9330

H

PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER H

Bauer & Metro, P.C.

212 Bluffton Road, Bluffton bauerandmetro.com | 843-815-5297

H REAL ESTATE LAWYER H

Mikkelson Law Firm

214 Bluffton Rd. Bluffton blufftonlawfirm.com | 843-757-9330

H LAWYER GENERAL PRACTICE H

Mikkelson Law Firm

214 Bluffton Rd. Bluffton blufftonlawfirm.com | 843-757-9330

H INSURANCE COMPANY H

Landon Papay Allstate

149 Riverwalk Blvd Suite 19, Ridgeland allstate.com | 843-476-4805

H MORTGAGE COMPANY H

Mortgage Network, Inc.

4 Clark Summit Dr., Bluffton mortgagenetwork.com | 843-836-2233

H NONPROFIT GROUP H

Bluffton Self Help

39 Sheridan Park Cir, Bluffton blufftonselfhelp.org | 843-757-8000

H FINANCIAL ADVISOR H

Sarah E Reed, CFP®

Edward Jones - Financial Advisor

5766 Guilford Pl., Bluffton edwardjones.com | 843-757-6845

H REAL ESTATE COMPANY H

Moul, REALTORS®

1132 May River Rd., Bluffton robertmoul.com | 843-940-8007

H GATED COMMUNITY H

Hampton Hall Club

170 Hampton Hall Blvd, Bluffton hamptonhallclubsc.com | 843-815-8730

H REAL ESTATE AGENT H

Robert Moul

1132 May River Rd., Bluffton robertmoul.com | 843-940-8007

H PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY H

ForeShore, LLC

210 Goethe Rd., Bluffton foreshorerentals.com | 843-815-2838

H RETIREMENT FACILITY H

Vineyard Bluffton Assisted Living & Memory Care

25 Cassidy Dr., Bluffton vineyardseniorliving.com | 843-612-0700

H WEDDING VENUE H

Montage Palmetto Bluff

477 Mt Pelia Rd., Bluffton montagehotels.com | 843-706-6500

H LOCAL BAND H

Chilly Willy Band facebook.com/ChillyWillyBand

BLUFFTON’S

H favorite H TRAVEL & RECREATION

H BIKE STORE & RENTALS H

Old Town Bike Barn & Adventures 28 Dr Mellichamp Dr, Bluffton blufftonbikestore.com | 843-837-2276

H BOAT DEALER H

The Boathouse 5279 N. Okatie Hwy., Ridgeland hhboathouse.net | 843-645-9500

H HOTEL H

Old Town Bluffton Inn 1321 May River Rd., Bluffton blufftoninnsc.com | 843-707-4045

H PRIVATE GOLF CLUB H

Hampton Hall Club 170 Hampton Hall Blvd., Bluffton hamptonhallclubsc.com | 843-815-8730

H PUBLIC GOLF CLUB H

Old South Golf Links 50 Buckingham Plantation Dr., Bluffton oldsouthgolf.com | 843-785-5353

H TENNIS CENTER H

Tennisclub of the Low Country at Rose Hill 9 Clubhouse Dr., Bluffton tlcrosehill.com | 843-271-6401

H OUTDOOR EXCURSION/

TOUR COMPANY H

May

81 Calhoun St, Bluffton mayriverexcursions.com | 843-304-2878

H WATERSPORT RENTAL COMPANY H

May

81 Calhoun St, Bluffton mayriverexcursions.com | 843-304-2878

H TRAVEL AGENCY H

Dream Vacations by Kate knoe.dreamvacations.com | 843-895-2290

H INTERIOR DESIGN COMPANY H

Southern Grace Interiors 4454 Bluffton Park Crescent, Bluffton southerngraceinteriors.com | 843-715-6770

H LANDSCAPING COMPANY H

The Green Thumb - Bluffton 172 Bluffton Rd., Bluffton greenthumbhhi.com | 843-837-3111

H MOVING COMPANY H

Hilton Head Moving & Storage

18 Buckingham Plantation Dr., Bluffton hiltonheadmovingcompany.com | 843-837-2828

H TREE REMOVAL/ARBORIST H

Johnson and Johnson Tree Care 82 Westbury Park Way., Bluffton johnsonandjohnsontreecare.com | 843-368-6602

H NURSERY/GARDEN CENTER H

Taylor’s Landscape Supply & Nursery 36 Cecil Reynolds Dr., Bluffton taylorslandscapesupply.com | 843-705-2600

H PEST CONTROL H

Hilton Head Exterminators - Bluffton 365 Red Cedar St., Bluffton hiltonheadexterminators.com | 843-627-2509

H PLUMBER H

Bluffton Plumbing 7 Plantation Park Dr., Bluffton bluffton-plumbing.business.site | 843-842-2902

H POOL COMPANY H

Diamond Pools & Spas 379 Browns Cove Rd., Ridgeland diamondpoolsandspas.com | 843-706-3931

H RENOVATIONS H

JJRP Construction 110 Traders Cross, Okatie jjrpconstruction.com | 843-707-2339

H ROOFING/FABRICATION H

Monarch Roofing Hilton Head Island 2894 Argent Blvd., Ridgeland monarchroofing.biz | 843-507-5506

HEALTH & BEAUTY PROFESSIONALS

H BARBER SHOP H

Joe’s Classic Cuts Barbershop

23 Johnston Way, Bluffton joesclassiccuts.com | 843-757-5637

H FITNESS CENTER H

Burn Boot Camp

270 Red Cedar St, Bluffton burnbootcamp.com | 843-949-0033

H HAIR SALON H

Salon Karma

12 State Of Mind St., Bluffton salonkarmasc.com | 843-757-5762

H MASSAGE THERAPY H

Inner Peace Massage & Spa 48 Pennington Dr, Bluffton innerpeace-massage.com | 843-757-1600

H MEDICAL SPA H

LUX ~ A Medical Spa 350 Fording Island Road, Bluffton luxhhi.com | 843-252-0037

H SPA H

LUX ~ A Medical Spa

350 Fording Island Road, Bluffton luxhhi.com | 843-252-0037

H YOGA/PILATES H

Move Fitness

H NAIL SALON H

H’Allure Nails & Spa 103 Buckwalter Pkwy, Bluffton 843-706-3600

Life may not be perfect, but your HAIR can be.

23 Johnston Way Unit A, Bluffton movefitnessbluffton.com | 843-212-7105 37 New Orleans Rd.,

H ACUPUNCTURE H

Kim’s Yin & Yang Acupuncture

23 Plantation Park Drive, Bluffton kimsyinyangacupuncture.com 843-757-7512

H ALLERGIST H

Dr. Thomas C. Beller, MD

300 New River Pkwy., Hardeeville hiltonheadallergy.com | 843-208-6442

H CHIROPRACTOR H

Dr. Justin ZellwegerZellweger Family Chiropractic 1 Mallet Way, Bluffton zellchiro.com | 843-706-2378

H DENTIST (COSMETIC) H

ROC Dental Group

25 Clark Summit Drive, Bluffton rocdentalgroup.com | 843-682-4601

H PEDIATRIC DENTIST H

Sea Smiles Pediatric Dentistry

164 Bluffton Road, Bluffton seakidssmile.com | 843-815-5437

H DENTIST (FAMILY) H

ROC Dental Group

25 Clark Summit Drive, Bluffton rocdentalgroup.com | 843-706-3800

H DERMATOLOGIST H

May River Dermatology, LLC

350 Fording Island Road mayriverdermatology.com | 843-837-4400

7 Arley Way , Bluffton mayriverdermatology.com | 843-837-4400

H

EAR NOSE THROAT DOCTOR H

Charleston ENT & Allergy

10 Arley Way, Bluffton charlestonent.com | 843-766-7103

H PEDIATRIC PRACTICE H

Palmetto Pediatrics of the Lowcountry

4 Okatie Center Blvd., Okatie palmettopediatricslc.com | 843-706-3206

H FAMILY MEDICAL PROVIDER H

Palmetto Medical Group

4818 Bluffton Parkway, Bluffton bmhsc.org | 843-706-0600

H IN-HOME CARE H

Hospice Care of the Lowcountry 7 Plantation Park Dr., Bluffton hospicecarelc.org | 843-706-2296

H OB/GYN H

Riverside Women’s Care - Bluffton 75 Baylor Drive, Bluffton, riversidewomenscare.com | 843-580-3608

H OPTOMETRIST (VISION CARE) H

Optical Solutions- Dr. Michael Campbell & Associates

27 Dr. Mellichamp Dr., Bluffton drmichaelcampbell.com | 843-706-0607

H OPHTHALMOLOGIST (EYE DOCTOR) H

Bishop Eye Center 4808 Bluffton Parkway, Bluffton bishopeye.com | 843-689-3937

H ORTHODONTIST H

Maginnis Orthodontics 1050 Fording Island Rd., Bluffton maginnisorthodontics.com | 843-757-9760

H ORTHOPEDIC H

Optim Orthopedics - Bluffton 8201 Pinellas Dr, Bluffton optimorthopedics.com | 843-705-9401

H PHARMACY H (Tie)

Ulmer Family Pharmacy & Wellness Center

68 Bluffton Rd., Bluffton ulmerpharmacy.com | 843-706-4496

H PHARMACY H (Tie)

Bluffton Pharmacy

167 Bluffton Rd., Bluffton blufftonpharmacy.com | 843-757-4999

H PHYSICAL THERAPIST H

Cornerstone Physical Therapy and Wellness

4 Hampton Hall Blvd, Bluffton cornerstoneptw.com | 843-837-1930

25 Pearce Rd., Bluffton cornerstoneptw.com | 843-837-1930

H PRE-NATAL MASSAGE H

Inner Peace Massage & Spa 48 Pennington Dr, Bluffton innerpeace-massage.com

H DOULA/MIDWIFERY SERVICES H

Compassionate Care Doula Services, LLC compassionatecaredoula.com 631-268-4119

H PLASTIC SURGEON H

Dr. Fred Weniger - Weniger Plastic Surgery

350 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton wenigerplasticsurgery.com | 843-757-0123

H DOG TRAINER H

Alphadog Training Academy

7 Willow Run, Bluffton facebook.com/AlphadogTrainingAcademy 843-304-4327

H PET BOARDING H

The Bark Shack

33 Ulmer Rd., Bluffton thebarkshack.com | 843-757-0888

H PET GROOMING H (Tie)

The Bark Shack 33 Ulmer Rd., Bluffton thebarkshack.com | 843-757-0888

H PET GROOMING H (Tie)

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Palmetto

7 Lawton St., Bluffton woofgangpalmetto.com | 843-757-9663

H PET SUPPLY STORE H

PetSmart

30 Malphrus Rd., Bluffton petsmart.com | 843-836-2020

H VETERINARIAN H

Bluffton Veterinary Hospital 21 Scott Way, Bluffton blufftonvet.com | 843-815-5898

H DAYCARE H

Cross Schools

495 Buckwalter Pkwy, Bluffton crossschools.org | 843-706-2000

H PRE-K H

Cross

Schools

495 Buckwalter Pkwy, Bluffton crossschools.org | 843-706-2000

H SCHOOLS K-12 H

Hilton Head Christian Academy 3088 Bluffton Parkway, Bluffton hhca.org | 843-681-2878

H HIGHER EDUCATION H

Technical College of the Lowcountry 100 Community College Dr., Okatie tcl.edu | 843-470-6000

H KIDS ACTIVITIES/CLASSES H

Bluffton School of Dance 123 Persimmon St., Bluffton blufftonschoolofdance.com | 843-815-2619

MEET THE WINNERS HILTON HEAD

Dining & Restaurants

Appetizer: The Market Cafe at Michael Anthony’s

Barbecue: One Hot Mama’s American Grill

Burger: Charbar Co. Burgers & Sushi

Burrito: Java Burrito Company

Crab Legs: Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks

French Fries: Street Meet The American Tavern

Fried Chicken: Publix Super Market

Healthy Menu: Healthy Habit

Margarita: Santa Fe Cafe

Milkshake: Cook Out

Oysters: Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks

Pizza: Giuseppi’s Pizza & Pasta

Salad: Jane Bistro and Bar

Sandwich: Gruby’s New York Deli

Steak: Crane’s Tavern & Steakhouse

Sushi: Hinoki Japanese Restaurant

Taco: Fiesta Fresh Mexican Grill

Take Out/Curbside: Fiesta Fresh Mexican Grill

Wings: One Hot Mama’s American Grill

Asian: Okko Japanese Sushi & Hibachi Restaurant

Bakery: Hilton Head Social Bakery

Bar/Late Night: The Jazz Corner

Sports Bar: Reilley’s Grill & Bar

Bartender: Monica Collins - Chez Georges

Beer Selection: Lincoln and South Brewing Company

Breakfast: Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe

Brewery: Lincoln and South Brewing Company

Brunch: Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks

Counter Service: The Market Cafe at Michael Anthony’s Catering Company: Roy’s Place Cafe & Catering Chef: Trey Place - Michael Anthony’s Coffee Shop: Java Burrito Company

Deli: Gruby’s New York Deli Dessert Menu: Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana European (Non-Italian): Charlie’s L’etoile Verte

Fine Dining: Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana

Happy Hour: The Market Cafe at Michael Anthony’s Italian: Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana

Kid-Friendly: Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks

Lunch: Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks

Mexican/Southwestern: Santa Fe Cafe

New Restaurant: Nectar Farm Kitchen

New Chef: Chef Will Overacre - The Market Cafe at Michael Anthony’s

Outdoor Dining: Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks

Pet Friendly: Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks

Restaurant Staff: Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks

Seafood: Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks

Southern: A Lowcountry Backyard Restaurant

Vegetarian/Vegan: Healthy Habit

Water Views: Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks

Food Truck: Jesse’s Island Food Truck

Wine Selection: Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana

Retailers

Bridal Boutique: Birdie James

Childrens Clothing: Island Child

Consignment Shop: Classic Consignments of Hilton Head

Florist: Flowers By Sue

Gift/Novelty Store: Gifted Hilton Head

Grocery Store: Fresh Market

Hardware Store: Grayco Hardware & Home

Health Food/Vitamin Store: Whole Foods Market

Jewelry Store: Forsythe Jewelers

Mens Store: Belk

New Business: Paris Baguette

Outdoor Store: Outside Hilton Head Flagship Store

Shopping Center: Shelter Cove Towne Centre

Sporting Goods Store: Outside Hilton Head

Thrift Shop: Church Mouse Thrift Shop and Boutique

Tire Store: Island Tire & Automotive Services - North End

Toy Store: Hilton Head Toys at Coligny

Wine & Spirits Store: Rollers Wine & Spirits Palmetto Bay Road

Womens Store: Shop! Boutique

Service Professionals

Auto Detailing: Auto Spa

Auto Repair: H & H Auto Service Inc.

Photographer: Brooke Simons Photography

Carpet Cleaning: Mighty Mac Premier Cleaning

Event Planning Company: Annie Scott Events

Home Cleaning: HH Cleaning Services, LLC

Performing Arts Venue: Arts Center of Coastal Carolina Tele Communications Provider: Hargray Communications Tech Support Company: Carolina IT

Business Professionals

Accountants: June & Associates, CPA

Art Gallery: Art League of Hilton Head Bank: South State Bank

Family Planning And Estate: Kennedy & Blackshire Personal Injury Lawyer: Bauer & Metro, P.C. Real Estate Lawyer: Reilley Law Firm LLC

Lawyer General Practice: Shelton Law Firm, LLC Insurance Company: Kinghorn Insurance Mortgage Company: Mortgage Network, Inc. Nonprofit Group: Volunteers In Medicine Clinic Financial Advisor: Chip Simons/Wells Fargo

Real Estate Company: Weichert Realtors® - Coastal Properties | Hilton Head Office

Gated Community: Hilton Head Plantation Real Estate Agent: James Wedgeworth Realtor® Property Management Company: IMC Resort Services

Retirement Facility: The Cypress of Hilton Head Wedding Venue: The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa Local Band: Young N Restless

Travel & Recreation

Bike Store & Rentals: The Bike Doctor Hilton Head Boat Dealer: The Boathouse Hotel: The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa

Private Golf Club: Country Club Of Hilton Head Public Golf Club: Harbour Town Golf Links

Tennis Center: Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball Center Outdoor Excursion/Tour Company: Island Explorer Dolphin & Nature Tours

Watersport Rental Company: Outside Hilton Head Activity Outpost

Travel Agency: Coastal Vacation Rentals

Home Resources

Appliance Store: Billy Wood Appliance Architect: Tom Parker Designs Blinds/Window Covering Company: Liberty Wall Coverings

Home Builder: Artisan Custom Homes Hilton Head Cabinet Company: N Hance Carpet/Flooring Company: Floors 2 Go Electrician: May Electric

Granite/Stone/Marble Company: Distinctive Granite & Marble

Heating And Air Company: Gochnauer Air Conditioning & Heating

Home Furnishings Store: Homegoods

Interior Design Company: J. Banks Design Group Landscaping Company: Bruno Landscape & Nursery Moving Company: A Perfect Move

Tree Removal/Arborist: Jones Brothers Tree Surgeon Nursery/Garden Center: Bruno Landscape & Nursery

Pest Control: Hilton Head Exterminators

Plumber: Butler’s Plumbing Pool Company: Year Round Pool Co., Inc.

Renovations: Lee Built Homes

Roofing/Fabrication: Alliance Roofing of South Carolina

Health & Beauty Professionals

Barber Shop: Crown & Anchor Barber Co.

Fitness Center: Peak Performance Hair Salon: Enliten Salon

Massage Therapy: Namaste Spa Medical Spa: Lux ~ A Medical Spa Nail Salon: Nail Talk and Spa Spa: Faces Day Spa

Yoga/Pilates: Peak Performance

Medical Services & Professionals

Acupuncture: Integrative Pain Relief/ Dr. Beth Schoon Allergist: Dr. Thomas Beller

Chiropractor: Discover Specific Chiropractic Dentist (Cosmetic): ROC Dental Group

Pediatric Dentist: ROC Dental Group

Dentist (Family): Matthew Mastrorocco, DMD

Dermatologist: Carrie Hall - May River Dermatology Ent Doctor (Ear,Nose,Throat): David Maurer MD

Pediatric Practice: Palmetto Pediatrics of the Lowcountry, LLC

Family Medical Provider: Wayne Johnson, MD

In-Home Care: Synergy Homecare

Ob/Gyn: Riverside Women’s Care - Hilton Head Optometrist (Vision Care): Bishop Eye Center

Ophthalmologist (Eye Doctor): Bishop Eye Center

Orthodontist: Maginnis Orthodontics

Orthopedic: Mark Dean, MD

Pharmacy: Burke’s Pharmacy

Physical Therapist: Horizon Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine

Pre-Natal Massage: The Art of Massage and Yoga Wellness Spa

Doula/Midwifery Services: The Art of Massage and Yoga Wellness Spa

Plastic Surgeon: Hilton Head Plastic Surgery & Medspa

Pet Services

Dog Trainer: Ashley Douglas - Paws On Learning

Pet Boarding: Evergreen Pet Lodge

Pet Grooming: Groomingdales

Pet Supply Store: PetSmart

Veterinarian: Island Holistic Veterinary Center - Victor Erenberg DVM

Family Services

Daycare: First Presbyterian Church Hilton Head Island

Pre-K: First Presbyterian Day School Hilton Head Island Schools K-12: Hilton Head Preparatory School

Higher Education: USCB

Kids Activities/Classes: Hilton Head Island Recreation Center

1. Cinque Rouge by Lydia Chojnacki. Art League of Hilton Head | 843-681-5060 | ArtLeagueHHI.org 2. Diamond stud earrings are always a welcomed choice that she will cherish for years to come. Heritage Fine Jewelry | 843-689-2900 | heritagejewelershhi.com 3. New Norfolk Quilted Bomber from Peter Millar. John Bayley Clothiers | 843-715-0713

4. Wine tasting from Partout, A Wandering Wine Experience. Partout Wine | partout.wine

5. Luxe acrylic games such as Rummy Tile Game and Dominos. J Banks | 843-681-5122 | jbanksdesign.com

6. Celebrate the holiday in the Lowcountry with this alligator pillow! Gifted Hilton Head | 843-842-8787 | GiftedHiltonHead.com

7. Red poinsettia. Bruno’s Landscape & Nursery | BrunoLandscapeAndNursery.com | 843-682-2624.

CULTIVATING CAMARADERIE

BY JUSTIN JARRETT | PHOTOS BY RUTHE RITTERBECK

When John Robinson’s regular Saturday golf group all but dissolved because several members joined the Golfweek Amateur Tour, Robinson reluctantly followed despite reservations about playing the game he loved in a competitive environment.

“I don’t know if scared is the right word,” said Robinson, a former tennis pro turned real estate agent. “But I was a little nervous to put my game out there and let people I didn’t know see how bad I was.”

When he finally mustered the nerve to give it a shot, Robinson entered an event at the Country Club of Hilton Head, and his handicap landed him in the C flight with like-skilled players. He won the flight.

“At that moment I was absolutely hooked with the tour,” he said.

SPEARHEADED BY PRESIDENT DENNIS MCCORMAC, GOLFWEEK

AMATEUR CONTINUES GROWTH AS A COMPETITIVE TOUR

That was 2013, and Robinson rarely misses a tournament on the Hilton HeadSavannah circuit. He often tries to enter events on one of the 48 other local Golfweek Amateur Tour chapters around the country.

The Golfweek Amateur Tour was the brainchild of Dennis McCormac, who in 1995 launched a local golf league in Charlotte and dreamed it might grow to include upwards of 100 players. His twist: Use players’ handicaps to set up a flight system, then discard them and settle it on the course.

“I played golf competitively and I knew there were plenty of guys out there who wanted to compete again, but the only thing they could get in was net tournaments, and you know what happens there,” McCormac said, referring to the practice of overreporting, or “sandbagging,” one’s handicap to get an edge on the field. “With five flights, you’re usually within two or three strokes with anyone playing in your flight, so you feel like you’ve got a chance every Saturday.”

He wasn’t counting on how many casual golfers had the urge to test their game under competitive conditions. Or the internet. Word spread through the Carolinas, and McCormac soon added tours in the Upstate and Triad regions, and when he went online, things escalated quickly.

In 2022, the Golfweek Amateur Tour and the spinoff Senior Amateur Tour held a combined 1,128 events nationwide, and this year McCormac, who moved his base to Hilton Head full-time in 2016, estimates the tours will have a combined 8,800 returning members across 49 Golfweek Amateur Tour and 29 Senior Amateur Tour chapters with the potential to reach 10,000 this year or next.

“Over the last 10 to 15 years we’ve seen about 5 to 10 percent growth every year,” McCormac said. “We never really saw a hiccup.”

In fact, membership spiked 15 percent during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when golf was viewed as one of the few sports that could be enjoyed safely. Things leveled off a bit last year, but McCormac is confident the uniqueness of the tour and the exceptional player experience will continue

to attract new golfers.

The national championship brings nearly 1,000 golfers who finish atop their local standings to Hilton Head each October for a season-ending bash.

The field is separated into five flights based on players’ handicaps, ranging from 0-3.9 for the championship flight to 19 and above for D flight, allowing everyone to ostensibly have a shot at hoisting a trophy and pocketing a paycheck.

“The greatest thing for me is the camaraderie, but the other thing for me is the challenge of competing,” Robinson said. “I play golf to see how good I can be. I’m never going to be a great player, but I want to see how good I can be, and I think this tour is a great avenue to make yourself as good as you possibly can.”

GENKI SADATO, 2022 CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT WINNER, WITH DENNIS MCCORMAC.

BY THE NUMBERS 29

The 2023 season will be the 29th year of the Golfweek Amateur Tour, which now boasts 49 chapters nationwide, and 29 is also the number of chapters of the Senior Amateur Tour.

1,128

The Golfweek Amateur Tour held 775 tournaments in 2022, and the Senior Amateur Tour hosted 353 events for a combined total of 1,128.

8,800

The Golfweek Amateur Tour and Senior Amateur Tour have a combined 8,800 members nationwide.

McCormac knew there were enough casual golfers with a competitive spirit to make the tour fly, but he didn’t realize the tour had a secret weapon.

“The thing I never saw that was going to happen is the friendships and camaraderie between these guys,” McCormac said. “Just last weekend they had a four-city Ryder Cup in Myrtle Beach and guys drove in from Tidewater (Va.) and Charleston and D.C., and I mean, just as soon as the season was over. There’s all kinds of other tours that have Ryder Cup-type events in the offseason or they have some type of tournament within the tournament because they become such good friends and like to compete against each other.”

The 2023 tour begins Jan. 7-8 with the Icebreaker at the Robert Trent Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes and Harbour Town Golf Links. For more information, visit amateurgolftour.net

CULTURE

ART

Experience the beautiful creativity and talents of historical Gullah basket weaving.

Discover fine arts and crafts in all shapes, sizes, styles, and mediums by accomplished artists from around the country.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES EXPOSURE TO ART JOURNEY INTO THE PAST

See the faces, hear the stories, step out into the land and leave with a fresh perspective and new understanding of local history.

Enjoy our beautiful and varied ecosystems. There is always something new to discover!

Your participation and support is how the Coastal Discovery Museum sustains its programs and preserves our region’s natural resources and cultural history for future generations.

To keep admission free and make the Coastal Discovery Museum available to everyone, donations are a critical component in sustaining the museum’s impact and fulfilling our mission to educate the public about the cultural heritage and natural history of the Lowcountry.

We rely on the generosity of our donors and would be honored to have your support.

Whether you join as a member, volunteer, make a donation, sponsor a program or event, adopt wildlife, or give in honor of a loved one - there are so many ways to make a different and we appreciate them all!

Scan the QR code for more information and to donate or call us at 843-689-6767 ext 224.

THE COASTAL DISCOVERY MUSEUM OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND

BY THE COASTAL DISCOVERY MUSEUM

On this enchanted island tucked in the Atlantic and surrounded by sprawling, rich coastal lowlands, there’s a way of life that’s very aware and appreciative of the crown jewel we’ve been given. We take good care of the sea turtles. We work to preserve and present the unique history of the land and its peoples throughout time. We teach certain cultural ways of life from one generation to the next — or at least we make that effort. So, we may think we’ve marked the box on preservation and celebration of everything that goes into having become “America’s No. 1 Island” for several years running. The truth is there’s so much more depth and story beneath a beautiful surface we’ve barely begun to scratch. The curators of the Coastal Discovery Museum take deeply to heart their part in that job and strive more each year to — figuratively and literally – churn the earth.

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD

“When I think of Hilton Head Island,” marvels the museum’s President and CEO Rex Garniewicz, “I think of its rich history, some of it buried under sand or obscured by the later growth of beautiful live oaks and their lush understory of palmettos and yaupon holly. We are still learning about times past in which South Carolina was a global crossroads. Most traces have vanished above the ground, but when we dig below the surface, we find amazing discoveries like a Ming Dynasty plate. It really makes you think differently about how this place really connected the New World and the Old World.” The museum has physical artifacts like this that you can hold in your hands and connect to the past.

“Our history here is traced in 5,000-year-old shell rings built by Native people; the discovery of the island by Europeans in 1526 and the first Spanish capital of La Florida across the Port Royal Sound established in 1566. Later, there were English colonists growing indigo and cotton - and here at Honey Horn - enslaved Africans, brought here to labor in the fields for generations before experiencing freedom for the first time at Mitchelville. History continues here today in the resilience of Gullah Geechee people on this island and their art, including beautiful sweetgrass baskets sewn on our property.”

INSPIRED TO CARE

Listening to Garniewicz speak in any conversation off the cuff and from memory about any given subject in the Smithsonian-affiliated museum’s interest and purview, you get a sense of the depth and variety of the work they do, from preservation to interpretation and hands-on education. This happens through the museum’s expanding buildings, where objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest are stored and exhibited, and through the objects themselves, specimens and live animals the museum keeps for our community, providing content for all ages within their four pillars of concentration: Art, History, Culture, and Nature.

COASTAL DISCOVERY MUSEUM STRIVES TO PRESERVE AND BRING LIGHT TO:

ART: Currently on display is the museum’s newest exhibition featuring beautiful works by artist Lisa Watson that explore the intersection between endangered plants and our built environment. As featured in Forbes Magazine, this installation of original work will be open through February 12, 2023. You can always find information on upcoming shows on the museum’s website, as there is a constant supply of new art to see whenever you visit.

HISTORY: Few people know about the tens of thousands of artifacts the museum has excavated over the years. From stone spear points and shards of pottery through Civil War artifacts the museum is building a collection that will tell our story. “Not only was our property used to house troops in the Civil War,” Garniewicz shares, “we have discovered the location of a gun emplacement on our property and recently received a donated Civil War cannon which we hope to restore and display on our property.” Putting all these pieces of history together is the next stage of the museum’s growth.

CULTURE: Located in the heart of such a culturally rich area with a thriving Gullah Geechee community, the museum is a place for locals and visitors to interact. It is the starting point for the Gullah Heritage Trail Tours, and many days Gullah artists, Michael and Dino will be on the property sewing sweetgrass baskets. They even teach a Saturday class where they share this artform with the next generation.

NATURE: The museum is perhaps best known for their work and contributions to the preservation of our fragile sea island ecology and all the living things that call this place home. Through classes for kids and presentations for adults this is where residents and visitors alike learn to love and live alongside nature. The museum truly does fulfill its mission to inspire people to care for the Lowcountry.

APPLEALING TO ALL WALKS OF LIFE

When asked about the most important new initiatives at the Coastal Discovery Museum, Garniewicz shares, “We are very excited to have our new museum-quality collection storage space under construction to preserve all the real objects that physically connect us with this past and bring it to life at the museum. Their protection is so important because we want them to be around another hundred years to tell our story, which is not only a local story, but also a very important part of American history.”

Garniewicz is also looking to expand the museum staff.

“With the support of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry we are also hiring a new history educator,” he says, adding, “We are poised to become a center for displaying and teaching our diverse history. In partnership with other organizations that manage historic properties like the Gullah Museum, Heritage Library, Hilton Head Land Trust, and Mitchelville, we want to put Hilton Head Island on the map as a place on par with Jamestown, Plymouth, or St. Augustine.”

This year those efforts continue to expand, protecting the things Coastal Discovery values most. Garniewicz said: “We need your support on several fronts to preserve these fragments of history and bring their stories to light.”

They include:

• Furnishing the museum’s collections storage space so it can properly house the thousands of artifacts excavated and collected across Hilton Head and throughout the Lowcountry.

• Conserving and restoring the museum’s precious artifacts – including Coastal Discovery’s famous painting of William Hilton’s Adventure and newly donated artifacts like its civil war cannon.

• Establishing a collections acquisition fund which will allow the museum to collect historic artifacts related to the stories the museum tells, and contemporary works by accomplished artists.

“This year we hope to raise $150,000 in our annual appeal. Your support will help our future visitors remember, learn about and honor those who lived here hundreds and thousands of years ago,” Garniewicz said.

FIND WHAT YOU LOVE

Every Coastal Discovery Museum experience leaves you with a new perspective, expanding the things we’re able to learn, experience, and pass on for new generations to fall in love with and become stewards of, all because someone came before them, preserving and presenting the story with passion and purpose. It’s a place we support because the museum does something for all of us.

If you’re not a member or supporter of the museum, plan a visit to their Honey Horn location and find that one thing that you love. You’re guaranteed to, in the museum’s “somethingfor-everyone” design. Whatever your area of interest and source of inspiration, chances are as high as a King Tide that Coastal Discovery is preserving it — for you, for our community, and for generations to come.

To make a donation, visit coastaldiscovery.org/make-adifference or call 843-689-6767 ext 224.

hidden gem

BY JUSTIN JARRETT | PHOTOS BY GUIDO FLUECK

SGT. JASPER PARK SHOWCASES LOWCOUNTRY’S BEAUTY AND ABUNDANT RECREATION ACTIVITIES

Tucked behind Coastal Carolina Hospital, just a stone’s throw from US 278 and Interstate 95, sits a hidden gem that showcases much of the natural beauty and outdoor recreation that makes the Lowcountry great. And it’s largely unknown, even to some longtime residents.

Spanning 321 acres of pine wetland and featuring activities ranging from fishing and kayaking to disc golf, Sergeant Jasper Park in Hardeeville is the perfect place for a broad swath of events from picnics to national championship half marathons.

No, really. After hosting cross country races in and around the park during his tenure as cross country coach at the nearby University of South Carolina Beaufort, Larry Kimball continues to take advantage of Sergeant Jasper Park, first staging an elite 5K race on the roads running through and around the property, then winning a bid to bring the USATF National Half Marathon Championship to Hardeeville.

One of Kimball’s Sand Shark runners, Jaime Roberts, fell in love with Sergeant Jasper Park during her college tenure, and now she takes the John Paul II Catholic School team she coaches to train there.

“It’s always been my favorite course because it’s flat, fast and a beautiful location,” Roberts said. “We also ran many morning runs around the ponds and enjoyed the wildlife in the area. Now I have the privilege of coaching an amazing group of athletes and bringing them to my college home course to run the same trails I ran.”

But you don’t have to be a world-class runner — or a runner at all — to find something to enjoy at Sergeant Jasper Park. After nearly being shut down for lack of use in 2005, the park is thriving today. Here’s a look at all the park has to offer.

TRAILS

A variety of trails run throughout the park, making Sergeant Jasper a great place for interstate travelers to jump off the highway to stretch their legs or walk the dog (on a leash) while soaking in some of the Lowcountry’s natural beauty. The trails alternate between gravel, boardwalk, and natural surfaces and are suitable for hiking, biking, or running. The park’s pine wetlands create a suitable habitat for a variety of waterfowl, plant life, and migratory birds. It’s also a favored site for road races or cross country meets ranging from the community level to national championship events.

FISHING & BOATING

Everyone from avid anglers to casual visitors hoping to hook into a big one can find nine lakes stocked with fish on the property, and the lakes are fishable from the bank or by boat. Whether you want to bring your own kayak or canoe and launch it for a modest $2 fee ($5 for Jon boats with electric motors) or rent one for up to two hours for just $10, Sergeant Jasper Park provides calm, closed waters for stress-free paddling. A day pass for fishing is just $5 for adults or $2 for children ages 7-12, and there is no charge for seniors 65 and over or children 6 and under.

DISC GOLF

You won’t find many quality disc golf courses in the Lowcountry, and you certainly won’t find one better than the 20-hole layout at Sergeant Jasper Park — and it’s free to play. You can also rent or purchase discs in the park’s main office if you don’t have your own. The course meanders through the property and brings the park’s many lakes into play, though, so it might be a difficult challenge for beginners just taking up the game. If you plan to get in around here, it would be advisable to invest in floating discs that can be retrieved from the water.

CAMPING

Although the park’s amenities and gates close at 6 p.m., a primitive campground tucked between two lakes deep on the property allows for overnight visitors, and the Lake Jasper RV Village next door provides a spot to put down temporary roots and enjoy luxuries like a lakeside pool and amenity center.

EVENTS

With access to a bounty of outdoor activities, including a children’s playground and grilling areas that are open on a first-come basis, the picnic shelter ($50 for up to four hours) and banquet hall ($100 for up to four hours) at Sergeant Jasper Park make an affordable place to hold a family reunion or a retreat for your business or organization, and the park is open until 6 p.m. every day but Thanksgiving and Christmas. Alcohol is not permitted in the park, and dogs must be kept on leashes at all times.

For more information, visit jaspercountysc.gov/parks-recreation/ sergeant-jasper-park

FESTIVE HOME IDEAS TO LIVEN UP THE HOLIDAYS

BY HILTON HEAD MONTHLY

‘Tis the season for decorating. There’s immense joy in brightening up the holiday season with beautiful and festive décor.

The Lowcountry offers many choices for holiday decorating, including colors and fragrances that can be used to welcome the season.

Be creative (and traditional) by implementing some trending design ideas. Be advised that keeping things simple is often best. Too many decorations can lead to clutter and become more of an eyesore than a holiday celebration.

A fresh-cut Fraser fir, one of the most popular Christmas trees, is a fantastic choice to begin your holiday decorations. Popular ones can be 6 to 8 feet high. They have strong, dark green limbs and a pleasant scent.

Other firs include balsam, Sapphire, Nordman and Noble.

An idea is to replace tree skirts with tree collars and, when decorating the tree, mix in silver ornaments to make the tree sparkle.

Colors can liven up the season, with red and green being popular. But white and beige make for wonderful holiday accents. Consider royal blue and gold to add some festive color. Color trends include sage greens and a little splash of pink.

Pink hues are popular this year, with soft pinks and peaches combined with pale greens on trend.

Add some old and new silver ornaments in varying shapes and sizes to make the classic Christmas tree dazzle.

Other decoration options are driftwood, oyster shells, red berries, and Christmas cactus. The cactus is best known for its colorful flowers and blooms from November through February.

Colorful poinsettias are always a holiday mainstay. They can brighten the inside of a home and can even last awhile outside in our Lowcountry environment.

Also trending this year are paperwhite bulbs, which add a classy “snowy white” look to your decor. They generally bloom four weeks after planting.

A wreath is a classic tradition — and can be displayed in many ways. Hang a wreath on the front door and include English holly or wide red ribbons for some color.

Want to make the wreath a bit more exciting?

Use florist wire to attach additions from the outdoors to the branches of the wreath.

Your living area can also be immersed in holiday cheer with festive pillows. A mix of small pillows with holiday decorations on a couch or chair is a quick and fun way to instill holiday spirit.

Another idea is to include a small group of mercury glass votive holders on your table, which will add a little coziness. Or consider a mercury glass decorative tree for the table.

Twinkly garlands can also be used for a festive holiday idea. Just place them across a windowsill.

Subtle but fun are candy canes. Display them as tree decorations or hang them as garlands.

Lighting a menorah also brightens the season.

Known as the “celebration of lights,” Hanukkah commemorates the triumph of the Maccabees over their oppressors. When Jews reclaimed their temple, they found only enough oil to create light for one day, but that oil lasted for eight days.

The lighting of the Hanukkah candles symbolizes that miracle — which is why the nine candles of the menorah offer great significance to this religious holiday.

Your outdoor space shouldn’t be neglected. Put some decorations on a mailbox or liven up the lawn with outdoor plants and add a reindeer or Santa’s sleigh.

Think about placing baskets full of logs or gift-wrapped boxes for a nice touch. Or consider putting a decorated tree next to your front door. A small tree with a few decorations will invite your guests inside.

However you decide to decorate your home, do so with holiday spirit and have fun.

WRAP UP THE

LEARN THE ARTFUL SKILLS TO SHOWCASING THE PERFECT PRESENT

BY DEAN ROWLAND

Some Americans view gift wrapping as an art, others as a begrudging chore.

All of those presents need to be gift wrapped, whether they’re shipped, placed in a colorful holiday gift bag and personally delivered, or laid at the bottom of a Christmas tree.

For those who aren’t nimble with their fingers or imaginative in their minds, there’s hope in the infinite world of gift wrapping.

“There is a science to gift wrapping; not every one can gift wrap,” said Meredith Taylor, owner of Gifted Hilton Head on the island.

“Anyone can learn to wrap a well wrapped gift package and make a bow. But it does take some skill…In this day and age, simpler is probably better.”

Gift-givers don’t have to impress or dazzle with their wrapping unless they’re inspired to do so.

“It’s just a thoughtful, pretty, seasonally appro priate presentation,” said Wendy White, manager of Pyramids on the island.

For those who are struck with wrappers’ anxiety, many retail stores—like Pyramids and Gifted— will do the wrapping for free with a purchase.

For the do-it-your-selfers, keep in mind that “nice wrapping is a chance for your own personal ity to shine,” Taylor said.

“Start with a good quality wrapper paper” in your color of choice, White said.

“The heavier the paper, the harder it is to wrap it,” Taylor added. “Don’t think you have to go out and buy the most expensive paper to wrap a nice gift.”

Taylor at Gifted likes to customize their gift wrapping with white Swiss dots paper on a red background with a satin ribbon and satin bow. White at Pyramids prefers white paper dotted with green evergreen trees coordinated with a 1-1/4inch gold ribbon and wired organza bow.

Open your pantry and grab a few brown paper grocery bags to save a few dollars and wrap in a seasonally colored ribbon and bow.

Taylor suggests buying craft paper and a rubber stamp in a seasonal motif with color to embellish the package.

“It’s a great art project with the kids,” she said.

Ornaments with personal touches can include stick-em dog paws or dog bones with the pooch’s name spelled out and family or individual por traits.

HERE’S HOW TO MAKE GIFT-WRAPPING PERFECT:

• Make sure to measure the paper properly to avoid waste.

• Measure your gift wrapper, so it covers about 3/4 of your gift box.

• Fold the wrapper over the box, then crease along the sides.

• Fold the upper side of the wrapper over the top, then the lower side, so they overlap on the top.

• Tape to close the wrapper.

• Fold the bottom part of the wrapper to finish the wrap.

“Wrap it nice and tight with no rough edges,” Taylor said. “You only want the end to be half as long as the height of the end of the box. That will give you perfect creases.”

YOU ARE ALMOST THERE.

•With the box centered on the paper, fold it at the ends with no jagged edges or tears using transparent tape. Tape the wrapping paper, not the box.

•Tie the ribbon and affix the bow from a variety of choices of materials and colors.

For those inclined to limit the muss and fuss, consider a colorful gift bag for your presents and adorn it with a bow or ribbon.

FAISON

HILTON HEAD VOTED AS BEST ISLAND

Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2022 named Hilton Head Island as the best island in America. Kiawah Island was second best. The Lowcountry was represented in other awards, including best resort in the South going to Montage Palmetto Bluff. The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa was the No. 2 resort in the South. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport was ranked the top airport in the U.S.

WEICHERT REALTORS ADDS 3 AGENTS

Tish DeLozier, Debbie Burd, and Ashli Godfrey have joined the team at Weichert Realtors as agents.

DeLozier will work out of the Sun City office. She earned a business degree from the University of South Carolina. DeLozier worked in the pharmaceutical industry and later founded Tish DeLozier Designs.

Burd, who will work out of the Hilton Head office, grew up in the Midwest.

know

IN THE

She has years of experience in mortgage lending, business management and customer service.

Godfrey, who will work out of the Beaufort office, received a master of arts degree in philosophy from Georgetown University. Prior to pursuing her real estate license, she worked for Beaufort County for two and a half years.

COASTAL VACATION RENTALS HIRES OFFICE COORDINATOR

Cali Hildebrandt was hired by Coastal Vacation Rentals as its office coordinator. Previously she was an outdoor hospitality manager serving as the resort general manager at an RV resort in Arizona.

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES HIRES GROWTH OFFICER

Kerry B. Walsh was named chief growth and development officer at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Bay Street Realty Group. She began her real

estate career 15 years ago with Berkshire Hathaway, in her hometown of Malvern, Pa. She created a real estate team focusing on luxury and equestrian properties.

STUDY RANKS HILTON HEAD ISLANDBLUFFTON AMONG BEST FOR GOLF

A new study by Golf Workout Program, which looked at the best U.S. locations for golfers, found the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton area is the fifthbest small U.S. metro for golfers. Researchers calculated a composite score based on local weather (mild temperatures and low precipitation), total PGA Tour events in the past five years, golf courses and country clubs per capita, and sporting goods stores per capita. This area has 11.9 golf courses and country clubs per 100,000 residents (compared to 3.1 in the country), according to the report.

Sebring-Avon Park in Florida ranks No. 1 for small metros (100,000–349,999 residents).

HILDEBRANDT

BURD

DELOZIER WALSH

STABILIZED MARKET

NEW BUSINESSES AND POPULATION GROWTH TO IMPACT REAL ESTATE IN 2023

BY DEAN ROWLAND

Affordability for homebuyers continues to be a stumbling block for closing on a dream house or any house that comes close to their dream in the Lowcountry.

Home mortgage rates climbed for the third time this year through September and nudged over the 6 percent mark for the first time since 2008.

Ouch.

Existing home sales declined for the seventh consecutive month. Look no further for cause/effect than monthly mortgage payments jumping 55 percent from a year ago.

The good news — kind of — is that the median home price rose 15 percent from last September to $453,060. That’s good news for sellers, not so good news for potential buyers.

“Coming off the record-breaking sales of the last three years, the market has shown signs of returning to a more consistent market,” said Cynthia Creamer, president of the South Carolina Realtors organization. “Properties that are ‘move-in ready’ are most desirable and move quickly off the market.”

Home prices are high, mortgage rates are high, sales are down and inventory is rising.

What’s it all mean?

“Rising consumer prices and higher mortgage interest rates will cool the real estate market across the country,” the former president of the Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors said. “What is different in our region is approximately 40-50 percent of the sales are consistently cash buyers. The concern is the affordability for the first-time buyer and those who desire or need to move up to a larger home.”

Here’s the current market for median home sales, as of September, according to the Hilton Head Area of Realtors:

• Regional Market: $453,060, +15 percent from September 2021, closed sales 459. -13.1%.

• Hilton Head Island detached: $925,000, +24.4%; closed sales 71, -28.3%.

• Hilton Head Island condos/villas: $408,000, +4.2 percent; closed sales 85, -12.0%.

• Bluffton: $452,500, +22.3%; closed sales 201, -14.5%.

• Hardeeville: $330,101, -4.5%; closed sales 43, +26.5%

“Properties are staying on the market longer than what was experienced at the beginning of 2022 and multiple offers have decreased,” she said, which accounts to rising inventory and longer days on the market.

Days on market rose to 125 days recently, up 37.4 percent from last year. Homes for sale stand at 938, up 25.7 percent over last year.

“While inventory has begun to inch up, it is not bringing us closer to a desired six-month inventory,” Creamer said. “Supply continues to be low, but demand from buyers has shifted the last half of this year. Sellers will need to assess their goals and urgency as we see the market stabilize.

“Businesses are expanding, and new businesses are locating to Bluffton and Hardeeville. New developments add to the available inventory. Real estate is circular, the last few years were not sustainable. Therefore, given the current economy, we anticipate the market to stabilize.”

With new businesses making the Lowcountry home, supply of inventory rose 63.6 percent over September 2021 to 1.8 percent.

Earlier this year the U.S. Census Bureau said Bluffton was No. 1 and Hardeeville No. 8 among the fastest-growing cities based on population. Hardeeville saw a 14.3 percent increase and Bluffton’s was up 12 percent.

Along with new and expanding businesses in the Hilton Head area come new residents and a growing population.

“We are fortunate to live in an area that is highly desirable,” said Creamer of Dunes Real Estate. “Hilton Head Island was just named “America’s favorite island” by Conde Nast for the sixth year in a row. It is our tourists who fall in love with the area who become our next residents.”

As the market continues to stabilize, what’s ahead in 2023?

“The median sales price in our region is $480,000, up 20 percent year to date,” she said. “We anticipate the market to return to a more steady and realistic growth in 2023. What that will be remains to be seen, as there are many factors, including the economy, interest rates and demand that impact price.”

HILTON HEAD BLUFFTON

‘It’s truly an honor’

SIX OAKS CEMETERY TO BE PART OF WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

BY TIM WOOD

Some folks would call what John Hunter does this time each year a major undertaking and a huge amount of stress.

But for the administrator at Six Oaks Cemetery on the island, the goal of filling every veteran’s grave with a wreath is an honor.

“These veterans and the veteran families have given so much and asked so little,” Hunter said. “Getting to do this is a blessing in my life.”

Hunter and his army of volunteers are collecting donated wreaths as part of the national Wreaths Across America program. More than 3,500 locations in the U.S. and worldwide will set up the wreaths at cemeteries and

community centers at 12 p.m. on Dec. 17.

“It’s just an amazing, coordinated effort and we are so proud to be just a small part of it,” Hunter said.

WAA began 26 years ago when Morrill and Karen Worcester were looking to donate excess wreaths from their tree farm in Columbia Falls, Maine. That one gesture and the event it led to at Arlington National Cemetery spawned a non-profit organization and movement with the goal of placing a wreath on every U.S. veteran’s grave during the holidays.

For Hunter, the event is a way to honor his father, a career Army officer and Korean War veteran.

“Dad died when I was just 5 years old, but our entire

family is built around service. My three uncles, his brothers, all served in the Army,” he said. “My Dad served all over the world, and I think of what it means for me to see that wreath on his grave. It’s truly an honor to witness other families seeing their wreaths.”

Hunter’s journey to Six Oaks began 29 years ago when the Alabama native took a job as administrative assistant to Lowcountry legend Charles Fraser. A few months into the gig, Fraser came to his office and asked him to take over administration of Six Oaks.

“I never thought I’d be a cemetery administrator. But 26 years later it’s been a wonderful life being able to give folks closure and to celebrate the life behind those who die,” Hunter said.

This is the 13th year that Hunter is leading the WAA effort at Six Oaks.

“I just remember when Wreaths Across America first called,” he said. “I said, ‘I don’t care if I have to pay for them all myself, we will make this happen.’ ”

Hunter delivered on his promise without having to foot the bill. Hundreds of area families stepped up to buy a wreath that first year and the effort has grown each year.

His crew of volunteers, many themselves family members of veterans, has close to 1,100 wreaths for the veterans interred at the cemetery.

“It’s quite a sight to see. Between all of us, we get all the wreaths on floral racks at veteran sites in just under 10 minutes,” Hunter said. “We have it down to an art at this point. This whole operation, to see the truckers donating time around the country to deliver the wreaths, to see all the folks that give here in the Lowcountry, it’s truly inspiring. The people here never cease to amaze me.”

Six Oaks is one of two cemetery sites in Beaufort County to participate in the event. Beaufort National Cemetery has collected more than 7,500 wreaths as of press time on way to a goal of 25,000 wreaths. A contingent of Sun City veterans had collected close to 4,000 wreaths before Thanksgiving — more than 12 times their goal for this year.

Hunter is committed to several memorial events throughout the year. His volunteers also place flags on the vets’ graves a week ahead of Memorial Day, July 4th, Patriots Day and Veterans Day.

“You can never do enough to honor these heroes,” Hunter said. “I think folks want to be part of something bigger than themselves and they prove it here every year.”

The wreaths will be on display at Six Oaks Cemetery for a month after the Dec. 17 ceremony.

WHERE TO

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

~ of the Lowcountry ~

OUR MISSION

Strengthening community by connecting people, resources, and needs.

WHO WE ARE

Created in 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is a committed philanthropic partner, providing leadership, support, and resources to help donors, nonprofit organizations, and other com munity members make a difference in the lives of Lowcountry citizens in need.

WHAT WE DO

We make it easy to channel your philanthropic pas sion into effective and impactful giving. We know the community, we understand its challenges, and we are familiar with the organizations addressing them. We have the tools, knowledge and personal ized service to help you find the most effective way to make an impact in our community.

WHO WE HELP

The Community Foundation of the Lowcountry serves a four-county region – Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper. We awarded over $800,000 in scholarships to deserving local students for the 2022-23 academic year, and over $7.3 million in grants to nonprofits in FY 2022, plus offer work shops and programs for nonprofit leadership.

GIVING IS SIMPLE

Our knowledgeable staff help generous people every day set up and manage charitable giving funds that best fit their philanthropic wishes, including Donor Advised, Scholarship, Designated (or Endowed), and Field of Interest funds. You can currently sup port these funds by visiting our website at cf-low country.org. You can also donate to the Community Foundation’s Touch Tomorrow Endowment Fund For The Lowcountry, which benefits multiple nonprofits in our four-county region. Gifts of any size can have an impact on our region for years to come.

HOW TO HELP

» The Community Foundation cherishes our role as a resource to regional nonprofits and the resi dents they serve. In partnership with United Way of the Lowcoun try, we manage LowcountryVolun teerConnections.org, which links people interested in volunteering with nonprofits who have staffing needs.

HOW TO HELP:

We are looking for more volunteers and always donations. You can donate un wrapped toys, clothes, or other gifts to stock our “gift closet.” Things like art materials, sporting equipment, basic clothing / sweatshirts and sweatpants, toys, baby dolls, books for ages 3-13, and board games are always welcome. Note: we do not give electronics or video games. To donate these things, email libby@thecelebrationprojects.org for a pick up or arrange a drop off.

GIVING IS SIMPLE: You can donate your time or donate money to help fund more birthday parties for children in need. Visit: thecelebrationprojects.org/ donate.html to make a tax-deductible donation.

CEL e BRATION PROJECTS

OUR MISSION Our mission is to give deserving children in need the gift of a birthday party! It’s a day that they do not share with anyone else – the party is all about celebrating the child and is 100% paid for by our organization. There is no cost to the family and a very special day for the birthday girl or boy!

WHO WE ARE T he Celebration Projects is made up of four board members, Libby O’Regan, Mick Kuehn, Ashley Gluck and Amanda Spencer. We also are start ing to get volunteers to help plan and coordinate the parties.

WHAT WE DO We mostly work with The Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head to connect with children who are deserving of a celebration! We plan their birthday party at a special location on Hilton Head or Bluffton (a ropes course, pottery stu dio, movie theater, for example) and pay for the activities, food, drink, an amazing cake, and of course – lots of birthday presents! We go big and aim to get a variety of things that children need (listed on their preference sheet) and also that the children want. They can invite friends & family and celebrate with loved ones.

WHO WE HELP The children selected are residents of Hilton Head and Bluffton whose family may be experiencing financial hardship, or otherwise wouldn’t be able to throw their children a big birthday party!

Visit thecelebrationprojects.org to learn more about us, volunteer and donate! libby@thecelebrationprojects.org

HOPEFUL HORIZONS

WHO WE ARE Hopeful Horizons is a children’s advocacy, domestic violence and rape crisis center that works to create safer communities by changing the culture of violence and offering a path to healing. The organization provides safety, hope and healing to survivors through therapy/counseling, outreach, prevention and education. Hopeful Horizons serves Beaufort, Allendale, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties.

WHAT WE DO We provide safety, hope and healing to survivors of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault through evidence-based practices and aim to end abuse through primary prevention and education.

WHO WE HELP We provide services to victims/survivors of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault, at no cost.

HOW TO HELP: Give | Volunteer | Wish List on Amazon

GIVING IS SIMPLE: Your gift can help make hope happen. To give visit Hopeful Horizons online at www.hopefulhorizons.org/donate

SECOND HELPINGS

Second Helpings is a nonprofit organization that has been working to eliminate hunger and food waste in the South Carolina Lowcountry since 1992. We rescue and distribute food that would have otherwise ended up in landfills. We also acquire funding to buy healthy food to supplement our food rescue efforts.

Our more than 325 volunteers provide three million pounds of food each year, free of charge, to 54 food pantries, soup kitchens, churches, and family and senior programs who feed the hungry in our community. That’s 50,000 meals per week – every week. And thanks to our volunteer-driven operation, we are able to rescue food at a cost of 18 cents per meal.

According to Feeding America, there are 20,000 per sons in need in our three-county area, including 4,000 who live on Hilton Head Island and many more who com mute to work here. They are children and their families, senior citizens, and workers whose paychecks don’t stretch far enough to cover their expenses. Many of them work in the hospitality industry, making our paradise pos sible for local residents and visitors.

We operates several programs, including:

FOOD RESCUE

Volunteers drive our eight refrigerated trucks about 90,000 miles per year across our service area, “rescuing” food from 42 grocery stores and other outlets that donate food deemed unsellable. Maybe this food is reaching its “sell by” date; perhaps it’s an apple that is bruised, let tuce that is wilting, or a product that just isn’t selling. Whatever the reason, they donate it to us. An array of food is picked up daily by our teams of volunteers.

FILL THE NEED

Fill the Need provides groceries every week to those who commute many miles and hours each day to work on Hilton Head Island in hospitality, foodservice, retail, landscaping, and similar industries.

The program is a true partnership between Second Helpings and Palmetto Breeze Transit.

Each week, Second Helpings delivers rescued food and purchased healthy food to Palmetto Breeze’s Bluffton bus depot, where Palmetto Breeze staff unload and store it. Every Thursday, a cadre of Sec ond Helpings volunteers arrive, and, with the help of Palmetto Breeze staff, sort and distribute the assort ment of food to the transit agency’s regular commuter passengers.

Second Helpings and Palmetto Breeze have been recognized by community leaders for this program.

HEALTHY FOOD INITIATIVE

Often, a limited amount of produce is available for rescue. Because produce is essential to a healthy diet, Second Helpings launched this program to solicit grants to pur chase and supply additional fresh produce and protein to our agency partners to feed the hungry.

• Working with Dempsey Farms in the Beaufort area, pro duce is harvested, packaged and delivered on Second Helpings trucks.

• Between growing seasons, and whenever there is a need, Second Helpings purchases produce, protein and other items from a wholesaler. We may also partner with local food donors to buy fruits and vegetables at discount prices.

4 Northridge Drive, Suite C, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 // P.O. Box 23621, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 secondhelpingslc.org // (843) 689-3689

HOW TO HELP

» Giving to Second Helpings is simple! Details – and a link to donate online – can be found at secondhelpingslc.org

» You can help Second Helpings in other ways as well:

» Volunteer: we have opportuni ties for truck volunteers, as well as volunteers to help out in com mittees, with events, and in the office. Please visit secondhelping slc.org/get-involved/volunteer to learn more and to sign up.

» Hold a food drive or fundraising event. Visit secondhelp ingslc.org/get-involved for more information.

HOW TO HELP:

There are many ways to make a difference for Memory Matters. You can do this through time, volunteering your time and effort in our day program, in our office, or at our events. You can donate items to our day program or pens and paper to our administrative office. You can also do this through monetary gifts that can easily be given on our website at www.mymemorymatters.org. Anyone interested in helping Memory Matters can do visit our website, calling 843-842-6688, or emailing at info@mymemorymatters.org

MEMORY MATTERS

OUR MISSION Memory Matters provides compassionate services for those experiencing cognitive decline, offers caregiver respite, supports families, and educates those who want to maintain or improve their brain health.

WHO WE ARE We have a small staff here at Memory Matters, but we all have large hearts and the will to help this community. We are all truly devoted and skilled to serve those whose lives have been affected by memory loss. Each staff member, though assigned to different aspects of the organization, works together to ensure we meet the needs of our community.

WHO WE HELP We serve individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, caregivers, family and friends, and health professionals. While we offer a variety of programs, support, and training opportunities, most importantly, we offer care, kindness, and inspiration to those who need it at a time memory issues have disrupted their life.

WHAT WE DO For 25 years we have educated the community, of all ages, on what can be done to keep the brain healthy, and what can be done to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. It’s a balance of brain-health education and memory care services. We are unique in the Lowcountry, and our expertise is unsurpassed.

117 William Hilton Parkway Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 843-842-6688 info@mymemorymatters.org

HOSPICE CARE OF THE LOWCOUNTRY

OUR MISSION to give comfort and honor dignity for end-of-life patients and their families through compassionate physical, emotional and spiritual care, regardless of their financial circumstances.

WHO WE ARE Hospice Care of the Lowcountry is a not-for-profit hospice and palliative organization serving Beaufort and Jasper counties for 40 years.

WHAT WE DO We provide a team approach to hospice and palliative care through quality care planning and dynamic programing. Our team is trained to access the patient and the family to create an individualized care plan that fits what the patient and family wants and needs. We offer specific programming to help cater to our patient and family needs such as: Hospice Care, community based Palliative Care, We Honor Veterans, the Jenny Brasington Final Wishes Program, Bereavement services and so much more.

WHO WE HELP Currently our hospice program serves any person with a terminal diagnosis with 6 months or less to live. Our palliative program is designed to serve individuals who suffer from chronic conditions and need chronic symptom management.

GIVING IS SIMPLE You can give three ways. On our website at hospicecarelc.org/donate/, over the phone: 843-706-2296, Mail in your donation to Hospice Care of the Lowcountry PO BOX 3827 Bluffton, SC 29910

Hospice Care of the Lowcountry PO BOX 3827 Bluffton, SC 29910 843-706-2296 hospicecarelc.org/donate/

HOW TO HELP:

The easiest way to help is to spread the word that Hospice Care of the Lowcountry is your local not-for-profit hospice that can serve you and your family in your time of need. Other ways to help is to volunteer with our other 111 volunteers or donate to a program that is dear to your heart such as our Final Wishes program.

PREGNANCY CENTER & CLiNIC

~ of the Lowcountry ~

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to provide pregnancy related healthcare to women in a welcoming, safe, and confidential setting.

WHAT WE DO

PCCLC provides free prenatal medical care through the first sixteen weeks of pregnancy including pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, prenatal vitamins, counseling, STD testing and education, prenatal and parenting classes, nutritional guidance, food, diapers, referral resources, and infant layettes. We are here to listen to our clients’ needs and concerns, answer their questions honestly and completely, and provide care, support, and a listening ear.

WHO WE HELP

We help uninsured, underinsured, and underserved women in Beaufort and Jasper Counties. We are committed to serving all those who turn to us

HILTON HEAD LOCATION

1 Cardinal Road, Suites 1 & 2

Hilton Head Island, SC 29926

for help with warmth and compassion. Since our founding, the PCCLC has assisted over 20,000 women in Beaufort and Jasper Counties.

WHO WE ARE

The Pregnancy Center & Clinic of the Low Country (PCCLC) was established in 1990 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization to help women and families struggling with pregnancy related issues get the help and care they need. Our services are completely confidential and non-judgmental.

We are certified by the South Carolina Free Clinic Association and are a member of the South Carolina Association of Pregnancy Care Centers; National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA); and Heartbeat International.

GIVING IS SIMPLE

We rely on the ongoing support of many generous individuals, Churches, foundations, and community organizations to make this possible.

MOSS CREEK LOCATION

19 Moss Creek Village

Hilton Head Island, SC 29926

RIDGELAND LOCATION

11332 N. Jacob Smart Blvd Ridgeland, SC 29936

HOW TO HELP:

» There are many ways to help us! We look to the community for their time, talent, and treasure. We seek volunteers to help us with our daily operations, we search for individuals and groups to provide their talent such as graphic designers, photographers, DJ’s, interior designers, boat captains, and we welcome anyone to contact us--we will find a place for you at one of our three locations.

» Lastly, we need financial support. You can scan the QR code below to make a gift. We encourage local Churches and organizations to hold a Baby Bottle Blessing Campaign. We will provide you with the empty bottles, design graphics/ flyers, and guidance to help run a successful campaign.

HOW TO HELP:

Lowcountry Legal Volunteers is always looking for new volunteers to join our dynamic team! Many of our volunteers are retired attorneys, paralegals and administrative assistants. We also have local attorneys that take on cases pro bono. Give us a call and we are happy to discuss volunteer opportunities or give the grand tour of our office.

GIVING IS SIMPLE There are many ways to give to Lowcountry Legal Volunteers and we make it easy! Contact us at our Okatie Office by calling 843-815-1570 or go online to lowcountrylegalvolunteers.org to donate or find out more about how you can help.

LOWCOUNTRY LeGAL VOLuNTEERS

OUR MISSION Lowcountry Legal Volunteers provides free, vital legal services to low-income residents of Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton Counties.

WHO WE ARE We are a 22 years running, volunteer-based organization with a dedicated staff. We have offices in Okatie as part of the 14th Circuit Victims Services Center and in the City of Hardeeville on 36 Main Street.

WHAT WE DO We help people living in the Lowcountry, who are surviving at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, who are at their darkest hour with their essential legal needs. We represent people in all types of family law matters, provide eviction defense and housing issue counseling, and even draft simple wills and health care powers of attorney for clients.

DEEP WELl PROJECT

WHO WE ARE For almost 50 years the Deep Well Project has provided a safety net for people in our community experiencing an emergency situation. Our small and committed staff is supported by hundreds of volunteers and a generous net work of donors who provide things like food, hygiene items, furniture, new toys and children’s items for Santa Shop, and financial gifts – all of which power our services and programs.

WHAT WE DO Our programs range from a 5-day a week food pantry, to critical nature home repairs for low income home owners. Deep Well’s Food impact feeds 300-500 people per month. Shelter assistance, rent/mortgage emergency pay ments, home repairs and re-homed furniture, keeps about 2000 people a year safe in their homes. Deep Well has a School Readiness program with new school uni forms and school supplies to help children start off their school year on a high note, as well as Holiday programs – Thanksgiving and Christmas special meals and the amazing Santa Shop.

WHO WE HELP All of Deep Well’s programs are available to Hilton Head Island residents, and some specific services are available across Beaufort and Jasper Coun ties. Deep Well’s clients are almost exclusively the working poor – people who are employed and have income, just not enough income to make ends meet when they hit even a small bump in the road.

80 Capital Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 843-785-2849 // deepwellproject.org

Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm

WHO WE HELP

Our clients are amazing, hard-working people, most of whom are raising their young children. They are people who deserve equal access to justice and the chance at a brighter future.

108 Traders Cross,Okatie, SC 29909 843-815-1570 | lowcountrylegalvolunteers.org

GIVING IS SIMPLE

:

Financial, as well as specific item gifts, are welcome! Checks may be mailed to Deep Well Project, PO Box 5543, Hilton Head Island, SC 29938, or credit card gifts can be made online at www.deepwellproject.org/donate. Deep Well’s Food Pantry accepts non-expired, unopened food items as well as hygiene items – drop these off in the red wagon by the front door, or for a large volume of items, ring the bell at the Pantry door. At Christmastime, the Santa Shop accepts new toys, games, clothing and books for children ages 1 – 12.

BY ANTHONY GARZILLI

Prime rib makes for the quintessential holiday centerpiece. Delicious and hearty, the perfect prime rib will have everybody at the table happy — and clamoring for second helpings. Here are some tips for a fantastic holiday meal.

SERVES 8-10

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 sprigs of thyme

• 2 tablespoons black pepper

• 3-4 teaspoons salt

• 2-3 large garlic cloves

• 2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary

• 1 8-pound prime rib roast

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

PERFECT PREP

• Refrigerate the prime rib overnight and let it come to room temperature for about two hours before cooking.

• Mix pepper, salt, garlic, rosemary (or thyme) in a bowl.

• Apply oil to all sides and then season the prime rib about two hours before cooking.

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

ROASTING THE RIB

• Put the prime rib in a roasting pan bone side down (fat side up). If you have celery, carrots or onion, place in the bottom of the pan before the prime rib.

• Cook the roast for 12-15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 325 degrees.

• Use a meat thermometer to test the prime rib after 30 minutes. A medium prime rib typically reads 130-135 degrees.

SERVE TO SATISFACTION

• When it has reached the proper temperature, remove the prime rib from the oven and place it on a platter. Let it rest for 25-30 minutes.

• As the roast sits, the temperature will rise about 10 degrees, to 140.

• Cut the strings that hold the prime rib and remove the ribs.

• Carve and enjoy.

SAVORY Sides

Perfect Dishes to Serve with Prime Rib

BY JESSICA FARTHING

As a special meal for the holidays, prime rib shines. The tender, bone-in prime roast is made juicier with an au jus pan sauce.

For many, it’s a family tradition enjoyed in a restaurant after a few quick cuts from a chef revealing the perfect slice of beef. For others, it’s an easily handled, elegant protein to serve with a selection of hearty sides.

Here are some of the best dishes to accompany this memorable feast.

TRADITIONAL

Yorkshire pudding: This popover-like, puffy pudding is cooked in the rendered beef fat from the prime rib. Batter is poured into the sizzling oil, resulting in the dough rising with peaks and crevices as it cooks. Decadent and delicious, this dish can be traced back to when beef was cooked over a live kitchen fire and the batter caught all the drippings.

Creamed spinach: With multiple cheeses, cream and just a little nutmeg, nothing says the holidays like this rich treat.

Garlic butter mushrooms: Adding garlic, olive oil and herbs to sautéed mushrooms is genius. It also comes together in around 10 minutes.

Twice-baked potatoes: This side might require a little more work than simply mashing potatoes but having an individually prepared potato for each guest is a sophisticated choice. Topped with cheese, chives or bacon, this is a potato lover's delight.

Horseradish sauce: Spicy, grated horseradish combines with sour cream, mayonnaise, or heavy cream to make a perfectly complementary sauce for prime rib. The flavor lightens the heaviness of the meat and leftover sauce makes a great dip for crudités.

CONVENIENT

Oven fries: Your oven can make fries that are crispy, crunchy and seasoned just how you like them. Simply toss potatoes with olive oil, season and bake at 375 degrees on a cookie sheet. The fries are finished off at a higher temperature for the ultimate crispiness. What could be easier than that?

Instant pot scalloped potatoes: Cooking scalloped potatoes in the instant pot results in restaurant-quality slices with a luscious sauce. A little time under the oven broiler browns the dish perfectly.

Slow Cooker glazed carrots: Using a slow cooker frees up stove and oven space and keeps the dish warm until the guests arrive. Combine all that convenience and an easy vegetable recipe using only butter, brown sugar and some spices and this side is a win at any holiday gathering.

HEALTHY

Mashed butternut squash: Rich in vitamins and minerals and low in calories, butternut squash is also easy to prepare. Cut the squash in half and drizzle with olive oil before roasting cut-side down on a cookie sheet. Be sure to cover the pan with parchment before roasting to prevent too much mess. After it becomes tender, scoop out the seeds and discard. The remaining squash can be spooned out and rarely needs any seasoning other than a little salt and pepper. Delicious and healthy.

Cauliflower mashed potatoes: If you’re watching carbs, making a mashed potato-style dish using cauliflower is a great choice. The usual recipes call for a little cream cheese, garlic and chicken broth to round out the flavor. Cauliflower is nutrient dense with fewer calories, making this a great choice to add to a beef dinner.

Arugula salad: Peppery arugula mixed with a little oil, lemon and shaved parmesan makes an elegant, but super easy salad.

COMFORT

Macaroni and cheese: Here in the Lowcountry, we’re pros at creating the type of cooking that could be labeled “comfort.” Everyone has their own version of mac and cheese. The one your family loves the best is the right choice.

Mashed potatoes: Garlic, creamy, cheese-smashed or herbed, mashed potatoes are always a favorite.

IMPRESS YOUR GUESTS WITH THIS DESSERT

BÛCHE NOËLDE

BY HILTON HEAD MONTHLY

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate, chopped

• 3/4 cup heavy cream

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature

CAKE

• 5 large eggs at room temperature

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• 6 tablespoons buttermilk, at room temperature

FILLING

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided

• 1 teaspoon clear gelatin powder

• 3/4 cup mascarpone cheese at room temperature

This is one dessert sure to please everyone. Bûche de Noël is French for Christmas log. This festive holiday dessert is made of classic chocolate sponge cake rolled around a filling of cream and mascarpone and deco rated with frosting to represent a yule log. Add confectioner sugar snow, nuts, mushroom-shaped meringue or Christmas cookies to kick the decorations up a notch. This is a classic Bûche de Noël recipe, but there are many variations online.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed half-sheet pan with parchment and grease the parchment and pan.

START THE FROSTING

Start by making a ganache. Place the chocolate in a bowl. Heat the cream in a saucepan or in the microwave until it begins to steam. Pour over the chocolate, let sit for 2 to 3 minutes, then stir until the chocolate is completely melted. Set this ganache aside to cool to room temperature while you make the cake.

MAKE THE CAKE

In a large bowl beat the eggs until thick and pale, then add in the sugar, salt and vanilla. Beat until the mixture is thick; this can take up to 3 minutes.

While the eggs are beating, sift together the flour, cocoa, cornstarch, and baking powder. When the egg mixture is ready, sift a third of the dry ingredients into the bowl and gently fold in. Continue to add in until all the dry ingredients have been incorporated.

Whisk together the oil and buttermilk and fold into the batter, mixing just until combined.

Pour the batter into the pan and lightly smooth the top with a spatula. Batter will be thin and may not reach the corners of the pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the top springs back when lightly pressed.

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 2 minutes. Loosen the edges with a knife.

Use the parchment paper under the cake, loosely roll the cake up from the long side. Place the rolled cake on a rack and let it cool completely, leaving it rolled as it cools.

MAKE THE FILLING

Whip the cream until soft peaks form. Mix in the vanilla. Stir together 1 tablespoon of the sugar and the gelatin powder and beat into the cream; this will thicken the filling.

Stir the remaining tablespoon of sugar into the mascarpone and mix it into the whipped cream by hand. Do not overwip the mascarpone — too much can make it grainy. Gently fold in 1/4 cup at at time of the mascarpone mixture until blended.

FINISH THE FROSTING

Once the chocolate ganache has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to a mixing bowl and add the salt and vanilla. Using an electric hand mixer beat the ganache on low speed and slowly add the butter in three parts. Once all the butter has been added, increase the speed and whip until fluffy, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

ASSEMBLE THE CAKE

Carefully unroll the cooled cake and spread the filling inside, leaving 1” on a long end uncovered. Gently roll the cake back up and place seam-side down on a large serving platter. Cut a 3-5” piece of the cake off one end at a 45° angle. Place the angled edge of the cut pieces against the larger log to simulate a branch. Square off the pointed end of the larger log and place that slice on the top or side of the cake to make another "branch."

Spread or pipe the frosting all around the outside in a layer at least 1/4” thick. Score the frosting with a fork to make it look like bark. Refrigerate, lightly covered, until ready to serve.

JUST BEFORE SERVING

Dust the top with confectioners sugar, add nuts or other decorations if desired. Refrigerate any leftovers, well wrapped, for several days; freeze for longer storage.

DEC. 1 - JAN. 1

HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT SHELTER COVE TOWNE CENTRE FUN EVENTS FOR EVERYONE!

CALENDAR

DEC. 1

BLUFFTON NIGHT BAZAARA LOWCOUNTRY MADE MARKET: Enjoy fall evenings in the Lowcountry while sipping a seasonal cocktail and listening to live music under the twinkling lights while browsing local artisans and makers including seasonal treats. Free. 5-8 p.m. Burnt Church Distillery (courtyard), 120 Bluffton Road, Bluffton. Lcmade.com

DEC. 1

BOOK ART-HOLIDAY EDITION: Enjoy a morning of book-folding paper crafts from discarded and damaged books to fold into holiday decorations. Materials, books and adhesives are provided along with in-person instructions on how to make folded holiday trees and more. Free. 10 a.m. Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Rd, Hilton Head Island. 843-255-6525 or beaufortcountylibrary.org

DEC. 2

DEC. 2-3

LOWCOUNTRY BOIL AT THE JAZZ CORNER: Two concerts nightly: 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Reservations highly recommended. The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com

DEC. 2-DEC. 3

51ST ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING AND CHRISTMAS PARADE: The Town of Bluffton’s Tree Lighting ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at Martin Family Park followed by Santa’s Workshop at DuBois Park’s Pavilion. Bring blankets or chairs to watch the movie, “The Grinch” 6:30 p.m. Christmas Parade is 10 a.m. Dec. 3 in Bluffton’s Historic District. Dszpanka@townofbluffton.com. Townofbluffton.sc.gov

DEC. 2-3-4

ANNUAL NATIVITY CELEBRATION: Community event celebrating the Christmas story with more than 100 nativities from around the world. Free and open to the public. Fellowship Hall on Dec 2-Dec. 3 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m and Dec. 4 from 12 p.m.- 2 p.m. First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort, 410 Church Street, Beaufort. 843-524-3051 or firstpresbeaufort.org

DEC. 2-3-4, DEC. 9-10-11

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

PRESENTED BY THE BLUFFTON YOUTH THEATRE, A HOLIDAY DESSERT

WINTER WONDERLAND

HOSTED

BY THE ISLAND RECREATION CENTER: A winter wonderland filled with carnival games, a children’s parade and bounce houses. 4-7 p.m. Shelter Cove Park, 39 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. Islandreccenter.org

HILTON HEAD ISLAND’S HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING: Festivities include live entertainment by local performers, caroling, screening of a family-friendly movie, and a visit from Santa. Non-profits will share opportunities to give back during the holidays. Free. 5:30 to 8 p.m. Lowcountry Celebration Park, 94 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island.

THEATRE: Ticket includes the show and dessert. Cash bar. Adults $25, children 6-12 years $20 and children under 6 years $15. On Dec. 2 and Dec. 9, the show begins at 7 p.m. On Dec. 3 and Dec. 10, the shows begin at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. On Dec. 4 and Dec. 11, the show begins at 3 p.m. All shows at 13A Kitties Landing Road in Bluffton. 843-874-0227 or Blufftonyouththeatre.org. Reserve tickets online at https://search.seatyourself.biz/ webstore/accounts/blufftonyouththeatre/ buy-tix

DEC. 2-15

SANTA AND SIRENS: HHI Fire Rescue plans this fun and popular tour of island neighborhoods, featuring Santa aboard a fire engine. Visit the town of Hilton Head Island’s website and social media pages for information on which neighborhoods Santa will be visiting each night.

DEC. 3

ALL ABOUT CATS HOLIDAY EVENT: Come for an evening of fun supporting this non-profit that cares for, rescues and provides sanctuary for the island’s cat population. Food and drinks, a silent auction, raffle, door prizes, prize for best “ugly” sweater and opportunities for event sponsorship. 12 p.m.- 4 p.m. Hilton Head Brewing Company, 1 Cardinal Rd, Hilton Head Island. Contact: Sherree Capello at 781-864-7398 or Allaboutcatshhi.org

DEC. 3

GULLAH CELEBRATION’S “HOLIDAY MARKET” AT LOWCOUNTRY

CELEBRATION PARK: A holiday-themed market with arts, crafts and food vendors. Complimentary tickets are available online. 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. 94 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island. GullahCelebration.com

DEC. 3

WINTERFEST 2022 PRESENTED BY ZENDEN: Browse over 35 local artists, authors and artisans and enjoy food and door prizes. 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. 707 & 709 Paris Ave, Port Royal. 843-929-9449 or Zendenpr. square.site

DEC. 3

CAROLINA COLLECTIVE DANCE CENTRE PRESENTS THE NUTCRACKER: Dancers take you to a magical place filled with marching toy soldiers, waltzing snowflakes, mischievous mice and the sparkling land of sweets. Tickets begin at $25. Show times begin at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Bluffton High School, 12 H.E. McCracken Cir, Bluffton. 843949-2109. Purchase tickets online at carolinacollectivedance.com

DEC. 3

PET VISITS WITH SANTA AT SHELTER COVE TOWNE CENTRE: Support Hilton Head Humane with an event just for your pets. Bring your furry family member for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Donations (monetary and supplies) will be accepted and adoptable pets will be available. 40 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island. Sheltercovetownecentre. com

DEC. 3

DECK THE HULLS: America’s Boating Club of Hilton Head will hold its inaugural Christmas Boat Parade along Skull Creek. Fleet of local watercraft in dramatic light displays, costumed crews, special effects and holiday decorations. The parade route will begin at Port Royal Sound, proceed along Skull Creek to Hilton Head Harbor Marina and return to Safe Harbor- Skull Creek Marina. Free and open to the public. 5:30 p.m.7:30p.m. abchh.org/deckthehulls

DEC. 3

THE BAY POINT ISLAND FOUNDATION ANNUAL ART AUCTION: Supports foundation projects, resources and research that protect and conserve the flora and fauna of Bay Point Island. Paintings, sculptures, weavings and jewelry. Tickets are $25 and include drinks, d’oeuvres and music. Doors open at 6:30p.m. Auction begins at 7 p.m. Purchase tickets online at https://www.thebaypointislandfoundation.org/events for more information. Thebaypointfoundation.org

DEC. 3

JOHN LAURENS’ WAR SCREENING AND DISCUSSION: A screening of John Laurens’ War tells the story of an enslaved South Carolina man’s fight for freedom. Stay for a presentation by the film’s director and two

historians. Suggested $5 donation. 9 a.m.- 5p.m. 843-284-9227 ext. 103. Morrisheritagecenter.org

DEC. 3-4-5

HOLIDAY NIGHTS AND LIGHTS IN HISTORIC MITCHELVILLE FREEDOM PARK: Holiday drive-through light event in one of Hilton Head Island’s most historic sites. Donations accepted. 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. The Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, 40 Harriett Tubman Way, Hilton Head Island. Exploremitchelville.org

DEC. 4

PALMETTO BLUFF HOLIDAY ARTISAN MARKET: Enjoy live music, browse 40+ artisans, food trucks and meet Santa Claus. Advance tickets are $15. Tickets available the day of the event at the gate are $20. Children under 10 are free. 12 p.m.- 5p.m. Sales will benefit Family Promise of Beaufort. Boathouse Row in Wilson Village. 954-241-7926 or Palmettobluff.com

DEC. 4, 11 & 18

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA AT PLANT RIVERSIDE DISTRICT: Enjoy holiday music, photos with Santa and a Holiday Breakfast Buffet. $46+ Adults. $22+ Children. Plant Riverside District- River Landing, 400 W. River St, Savannah. Reservations are required. savannahchristmasmarket. com

DEC. 6

CLASSIC BOOK CLUB: December selection is The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers. Free. 2 p.m. Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Rd, Hilton Head Island. 843-255-6526 or beaufortcountylibrary.org

DEC. 7

THE LAVON STEVENS TRIO FEATURING GRAMMY AWARDWINNING VOCALIST QUIANA PARLER: Two concerts nightly: 6:30 p.m. and 9p.m. Reservations highly recommended. The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Pkwy., Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com

DEC. 9

HILTON HEAD CHORAL SOCIETY PRESENTS THE MANY MOODS OF THE SEASON: The program will celebrate from a more traditional standpoint the many moods of the season as the Choral Society presents the Christmas portion of Handel’s classic, Messiah and Robert Shaw’s The Many Moods of Christmas. Tickets range from $15- $40. 7p.m. 843-3413818. Reserve tickets at Hiltonheadchoralsociety.org.

DEC. 10

COOKIES WITH SANTA: Dress up the kids for pictures with Santa, story time and cookie decorating. $5 per person. 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 S. Jacob Smart Blvd., Ridgeland, SC 29936. 843-284-9227 ext. 103. or Morrisheritagecenter.org

DEC. 9-10

A COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS WALK: Family- friendly event including a Christmas story trail, nativity, movies, live music, amazing lights, train rides, bonfires, snow, hot dogs, smores and Santa. $5 at the door. Children 5 and under are free. 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. All funds go to Thornwell Children’s Home. 171 Cordillo Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. Providencehhi.org.

DEC. 10

BILINGUAL TOURS AT THE MORRIS CENTER: Learn about the history, art, and culture of the Lowcountry. Guided tours are in Spanish and English. Free. Offered hourly between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Last tour is at 1 p.m. 843-284-9227 ext. 103 or Morrisheritagecenter.org

DEC. 10

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: Santa Claus is coming to town. Enjoy story time, hot breakfast, photo time and craft making. $10 per person. 9 a.m.10:30 a.m. Morris Center for the Lowcountry, 10782 S. Jacob Smart Blvd., Ridgeland, SC 29936. 843-284-9227 or Morrisheritagecenter.org

DEC. 10

SPECIAL HOLIDAY MARKET PRESENTED BY LOWCOUNTRY MADE

PORT ROYAL: Live music and food. Shopping from local makers. 9 a.m.1 p.m. Port Royal Live Oaks Park, 904 14th St, Port Royal, SC. Lcmade. com

DEC. 10

THE NUTCRACKER 5K PRESENTED BY

HORIZON REHABILITATION

& SPORTS MEDICINE: Run, walk, play and dance and get into the holiday spirit. Bring a toy to support Deep Well Project. Kids 12-under run for only $15. Ages 13+ are $35. 1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Suite J6, Hilton Head Island. Register online at Runsignup.com

DEC. 11

HILTON HEAD HUMANE SHELTER CHRISTMAS PARTY: Support this non-profit organization that helps to provide shelter and medical care for the island’s dog and cat population. 12 p.m.- 2 p.m. 10 Humane Way, Hilton Head Island. To volunteer, contact Kennelsupervisor@hhhumane.org. Hhhumane.org

DEC. 11

ALEXANDER’S COOKING DEMO: HOMEMADE EGG NOG: A cooking demonstration at Alexander’s, led by culinary staff. Demonstrations are $25 per person and include a glass of sparkling wine and culinary gift to take home. Alexander’s Restaurant & Wine Bar, 76 Queen’s Folly Rd, Hilton Head Island. 866-921-6639. AlexandersRestaurant.com/cookingdemonstrations

DEC. 12

THE JAZZ CORNER PRESENTS CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE! THE MARTIN LESCH BAND FEATURING SPECIAL GUESTS: Two concerts nightly: 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Reservations highly recommended. The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com

DEC. 12

HOLLY JOLLY MIXOLOGY: A holiday mixology class to learn how to make three cocktails and receive a recipe sheet and barware to take home. 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Sea Pines Beach Club inside the Atlantic Room, 87 N. Sea Pines Dr., Hilton Head Island. Seapines.com/events

DEC. 13

HOW TO HOOPLA: A step-by-step guide to using Hoopla, the library’s digital materials collection. Learn how to download ebooks, audiobooks and other digital content. Free. 10 a.m. Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Rd, Hilton Head Island. 843-255-6526 or beaufortcountylibrary.org

DEC. 14

AUDOBON CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT: Join the Hilton Head Audobon Society as it works with communities across America, including Sea Pines, to conduct its annual Audobon Christmas Bird Count. For additional information or to register, please contact HHICBC@gmail.com or visit hiltonheadaudubon.org

DEC. 15

HOLIDAY COOKIE DECORATING: Decorate cookies while listening to your favorite holiday jingles at the library. Cookies and decorations provided. Registration is encouraged. Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Rd, Hilton Head Island. 843-255-6526 or beaufortcountylibrary.org

DEC. 15

ALEXANDER’S JUSTIN WINE DINNER: Special wine dinner featuring a selection of wine by Justin Winery. Wine dinners are $130 per person and include tax and gratuity. Alexander’s Restaurant & Wine Bar, 76 Queen’s Folly Rd, Hilton Head Island. Register early. 855-511-0999 or register online at AlexandersRestaurant.com/wine-dinner

DEC. 16-17

CRANFORD HOLLOW CHRISTMAS: Two concerts nightly: 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Reservations highly recommended. The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com

DEC. 17

POLAR PINES EXPRESS- HOLIDAY WAGON RIDE: Hop aboard our festive wagon and arrive at our North Pole to hear a classic story, “The Polar Express.” Create a paper conductor’s hat and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. Reservations are required. $18/adult, $16/child (ages 12 and younger). 1 p.m. and 2:30p.m. Sea Pines Forest Preserve, 175 Greenwood Drive, Hilton Head Island. Seapines.com

DEC. 17-18

JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM: A walk-through live Nativity visiting Bethlehem as it was at the time of Jesus’ birth. Free. 5:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. First Presbyterian Church Hilton Head Island, 540 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. 843-681-3696. Fpchhi.org

DEC. 18

BRUNCH WITH SANTA AT ALEXANDER’S RESTAURANT & WINE

BAR: Buffet and complimentary photo with Santa. Two seatings at 10:15 a.m. and 12 p.m. $43+ per adult/ $23+ per child (12 & under). Reservations are required. New, unwrapped toys accepted to benefit the Deep Well Project. Alexander’s Restaurant & Wine Bar, 76 Queen’s Folly Rd, Hilton Head Island. 855-511-0999 or make a reservation online AlexandersRestaurant.com/SantaBrunch

DEC. 18

HILTON HEAD ISLAND HANUKKAH CELEBRATION: Celebrate the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah. All are welcomed. Featuring the lighting of the Menorah, latkes and sufganiyot (traditional Hanukkah food), music, dreidel games and more. Free. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Lowcountry Celebration Park 94 Pope Avenue

DEC. 18

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH YOUTH CHOIR PERFORMS AT SHELTER COVE TOWNE CENTRE: The Adventures in Music Youth Choir will perform near Kilwins for a public performance. Free and open to the public. 1:30 p.m. Shelter Cove Towne Centre, 28 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island. Welcometosheltercove.com

DEC. 18

DEAS GUYS AT THE JAZZ CORNER: Two concerts nightly: 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Reservations highly recommended. The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com

DEC. 19

PUBLIC MENORAH LIGHTING AT SHELTER COVE TOWNE CENTRE: The Chabad Greater Hilton Head is hosting this event with music, light refreshments and the lighting of a 9-foot Menorah in the open court area in front of Jane Restaurant and Belk Men’s Store. Free. 5:30p.m. Shelter Cove Towne Centre, 28 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. Welcometosheltercove.com

DEC. 23

GREGG RUSSELL CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Gregg Russell plays guitar and sings holiday songs. Enjoy a special visit from Santa Claus following the show. Free. 7:30 p.m.- 9 p.m. Harbour Town, 149 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-1979 or seapines.com

DEC. 23

BLUFFTON GULLAH MARKET: A local market where Gullah business owners, artisans, craftsmen, caterers and farmers can sell their products. 12 p.m.- 7p.m. Martin Family Park, 68 Boundary St, Bluffton. Townofblufftonsc.gov

DEC. 24

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES: Family Worship at 4:30 p.m. Candlelight and Christmas Music at 8 p.m. Candlelight & Communion Service at 10:30 p.m. Free. First Presbyterian Church Hilton Head Island in the Sanctuary, 540 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. 843-6813696. Fpchhi.org DEC. 27-29

HOLIDAY FUN IN HARBOUR TOWN: Join us around the Liberty Oak Tree in Harbour Town to watch classic holiday movies, roast marshmallows and enjoy train rides. Complimentary with the donation of a canned food item for Deep Well. Train rides are $5 per passenger. The movie and marshmallow roasting begin at 6p.m. seapines.com/events DEC. 31

21ST ANNUAL POLAR BEAR SWIM: Take a dip in the Harbour Town pool on a chilly winter day. Warm up after with hot chocolate and refreshments. Complimentary. 10 a.m. Harbour Town Pool, 1 Lighthouse Ln, Hilton Head Island. Seapines.com/events DEC. 31

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION AT HARBOUR TOWN: Enjoy a festive New Year’s celebration with food, fun, entertainment and live music throughout Harbour Town. Countdown to watch the ball drop from the top of the lighthouse as we welcome in the New Year. 843-8421979. Seapines.com

DEC. 31- JAN. 2

NEW YEAR’S AT PALMETTO BLUFF: Throw confetti, pop champagne and toast the New Year at Montage Palmetto Bluff. Planners are available to schedule your New Year’s weekend at Palmetto Bluff. Visit online at Montagehotels.com

GREGG RUSSELL CHRISTMAS CONCERT

HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT SHELTER COVE HARBOUR & MARINA: Take a stroll through this version of a winter wonderland as Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina transforms into a colorful affair. Stroll through the promenade decorated with holiday lights and enjoy everything a “Lowcountry Winter” has to offer. Free. 1 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island. 866-661-3822 or ShelterCoveHiltonHead. com/santa

HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT SHELTER COVE TOWNE CENTRE: Enjoy the festive lights throughout the center. The beautiful 28-foot decorated Christmas tree will also be in the park. Free. 1 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island. 866-661-3822 or Sheltercovehiltonhead. com

SANTA & MRS. CLAUS VISIT SHELTER COVE TOWNE CENTRE: Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand, located near Francesca’s. Visit from 12 p.m.- 2p.m. Dec. 10 and Dec. 17. Visit from 5p.m. to 7p.m. on Dec. 3, 9, 16 and 23. On Christmas Eve, visit Santa by the Christmas tree in the park from 12p.m.- 2p.m. 40 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island. Sheltercovetownecentre.com

SOUTH BEACH CHRISTMAS VILLAGE: Every evening at dusk thousands of lights illuminate South Beach into a festive wonderland. Check out the Christmas trains. 232 S Sea Pines Dr, Hilton Head Island. 843-671-2233 or Saltydog.com

HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT HARBOUR TOWN: Enjoy strolling along the harbour enjoying live entertainment and activities while taking in the festive, illuminated views of the lights of Harbour Town. Deep Well will be accepting donations of canned goods and unwrapped children’s toys at the well by the Liberty Oak Stage. 843-842-1979 or Seapines.com

DAILY EVENTS

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS,

THURSDAYS

MEMORY-ENHANCING CLASSES AT MEMORY MATTERS: A memory enhancing program providing curriculum-based, mindenhancing content to encourage socialization, stimulation and support for individuals newly diagnosed with early memory loss. Costs: 1 day per week is $200; 2 days per week is $350. In-person on Mondays & Wednesdays. Virtual classes are offered on Thursdays between 10:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. Memory Matters, 117 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-6688 or mymemorymatters.org

MONDAYS

THE MARTIN LESCH BAND- A JOURNEY THROUGH JAZZ AT THE JAZZ CORNER: Two concerts nightly: 6:30p.m. and 9p.m. Reservations highly recommended. The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head. 843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com

MONDAYS- SATURDAYS REST, RELAXATION AND REJUVENATION AT PURE SALT

STUDIOS: Relax with private yoga in a Himalayan salt room (Halotherapy), heal your body in the infrared sauna or book an appointment for a private massage or sound bath session. Call to

FAMILY

Owned & Operated

Septic Tank Pumping

Septic System Installs

Drainfield Repair Terralift Technology

Septic Inspections 912-856-6915 septicworksofthelowcountry.com

FAT TUESDAYS AT THE JAZZ CORNER

book an appointment. Shelter Cove Lane and Marina, 9 Harbourside Lane, Suite B, Hilton Head Island. 843-715-2825 or puresaltstudios. com

TUESDAYS

FAT TUESDAYS AT THE JAZZ CORNER: Two concerts nightly: 6:30 and 9pm. Reservations highly recommended. The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com

TUESDAYS

HILTON HEAD ISLAND FARMERS MARKET: Support our local farmers and producers and take home fresh produce, pasture-raised chicken, free-range rabbit, pork, seafood, salsa, sausage, cookies, bread, she-crab soup and more. Entrance and parking are free. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum. 70 Honey Horn Dr, Hilton Head Island. 843473-5231 or hhifarmersmarket.com

THURSDAYS

and anyone who loves to dance. Dances are open to the public. $5. 5:30 p.m., Christ Lutheran Church, 829 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-363-6008 or hiltonheadshagclub.com

SATURDAYS

SANTA & S’MORES SATURDAYS IN SOUTH BEACH: Every Saturday through Dec. 17, Santa will be at the marina at the South Beach Village at approximately 3 p.m. Afterwards, enjoy complimentary fireside hot cocoa and s’mores, loads of Christmas goodies and live music from 3-6 p.m. The Salty Dog, S Sea Pines Dr., Hilton Head Island. Thesaltydog.com

SATURDAYS

THIRSTY

THURSDAYS WINE

TASTING: On Dec. 1, 8 and 15, Hazel Dean’s Wine Tasting features four fabulous wines on the patio. 4-6 pm. Cost is $20 and includes complimentary charcuteries. Must be at least 21. 843-802-2001 or info@hazeldeans.com. Theshopsatseapinescenter.com

THURSDAYS

CIVIL WAR ERA: Join this presentation featuring maps and historic photos of this time on Hilton Head from 1861-1865. Reservations required. The cost is $12 for adults, $7 for children. 3 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-6896767, ext. 223. or coastaldiscovery.org

THURSDAYS

DUELING PIANOS SHOW: The only Dueling Pianos Show on Hilton Head Island takes place each Thursday night at the Rooftop Bar. 8-11 p.m., Rooftop Bar at Poseidon, 38 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-341-3838 or therooftophhi.com

THURSDAYS

FARMERS MARKET OF BLUFFTON: Meet local farmers, chefs and artisans every Thursday on Boundary Street. Buy a fresh assortment of strawberries, produce, beets, potatoes and more. Also hear local, live entertainment and educational lectures. Noon-5 p.m., Martin Family Park, 68 Boundary Street, Bluffton. 843-415-2447 or farmersmarketbluffton.org

THURSDAYS

LAVON STEVENS PRESENTS JAZZ IN THE KEY OF LIFE

FEATURING LOUISE SPENCER: Two concerts nightly: 6:30p.m. and 9p.m. Reservations highly recommended. The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com

FRIDAYS

SIT AND STITCH: Practice needlepoint every Friday during this casual sit-and-stitch event. All levels welcome. Free. 10 a.m., Needlepoint Junction, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Suite 6134, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8488 or shopneedlepointjunction.com

FRIDAYS

BEGINNER SHAG LESSONS AND SOCIAL DANCING: The Hilton Head Island Carolina Shag Club will host Friday night beginner shag lessons, followed by social dances. Lessons are open to couples, singles,

HILTON HEAD COMMUNITY MARKET: On Dec. 3rd, 10 and 17, the Island Recreation Center will host a food-focused market that also features a limited number of local artisans and makers each week. Half of all vendor fees received will be donated to a local, non-profit organization each month. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Shelter Cover Community Park, 39 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island. Contact Colleen Laux at colleen@cottonwoodsoap.com.

SATURDAYS

PALM TREE & PISTONS: On Dec. 10, visit this local car show held every second Saturday of each month. This event showcases unique, vintage, antique, exotic, and muscle cars owned by locals. 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Sea Turtle Marketplace (in front of the former Steinmart), 430 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. Visit the Facebook page for Palm Trees & Pistons for more information.

SATURDAYS

BLUFFTON LOWCOUNTRY MADE MARKET: On Dec. 17, visit this local market held every 3rd Saturday of each month featuring local artisans and makers. 9a.m. -1p.m. Buckwalter Place (next to Buckwalter Kroger Shopping Center), Commerce Park, 25 Buckwalter Pl. Blvd. Bluffton. Lcmade.com

WEEKLY, MONTHLY AND HOLIDAY CAMPS

SMITH STEARNS TENNIS ACADEMY: Programs are available all year for junior tennis players of all levels. Private tennis lessons are also available to ensure your student gets one-on-one instruction with one of our top-notch tennis coaches. Smith Stearns Tennis Academy, 1 Lighthouse Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-363-4789 or smithstearns.com

ALLIGATOR AND WILDLIFE BOAT TOUR: Alligator and Wildlife Boat Tour with H2O Sports in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. Get an up-close view of indigenous plant and animal life, including the American alligator, on a one-hour guided boat tour. Reservations are required, 843-6714386 or h2osports.com

CRAFTS: Children and adults can choose from a variety of craft activities. The cost is $12-$20. Sea Pines Resort Fitness and Recreation Department, 71 Lighthouse Road, Suite 122, Hilton Head Island. 843842-1979 or seapines.com

TRAIL RIDES THROUGH THE SEA PINES FOREST PRESERVE WITH LAWTON

STABLES: Meander through the preserve on horseback for the true feel of the untouched Lowcountry. Trail riders must be at least 8 years old. Reservations are required. 843-671-2586 or lawtonstables.com

THE HARBOUR TOWN LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM: Explore Hilton Head Island’s rich history and learn the story behind its famous lighthouse in a unique, museum-like setting. Admission is $5.75/person and complimentary for children ages 5 and younger. Open every day 10 a.m.sundown. 149 Lighthouse Rd., Hilton Head Island. 843-671-2810 or harbourtownlighthouse.com

SAVE THE DATE

JAN 12-22

TIDES TO TABLES RESTAURANT WEEK: This 10-day celebration attracts people from all over the country to come try the amazing culinary creations by South Carolina’s top chefs. Hundreds of restaurants are offering special menu items, promotions and incredible discounts. Restaurantweeksouthcarolina.com

JAN. 14

DAUFUSKIE ISLAND MARATHON: An inclusive race held at Haig Point and consists of a 13.1-mile or a 26.2-mile distance on a USATFcertified course. After the race, enjoy live music while having lunch. Browse an Artesian Village filled with vendors and have celebratory

drinks on the green. $125- $150. 7:30a.m.- 4:30p.m. Daufuskie Island, Haig Point Lighthouse. Contact: Kerry Dulina- 678-416-1933. Daufuskieislandmarathon.com

JAN. 20, 21 & 22

ANNUAL LOW COUNTRY HOME & GARDEN SHOW: Meet builders, remodelers and contractors and find the latest products and services for your home and landscape. Cost and time are TBA. Savannah Convention Center, 1 International Dr, Savannah, GA. Purchase tickets online at showtechnology.com

JAN. 21

2ND ANNUAL OYSTER BOOGIE RUN: Support local Riverview Charter School and run through Historic Downtown Beaufort and across the Woods Memorial Bridge. Runners start and finish at Freedom Park. Cash prizes will be awarded for male & female age groups. 8a.m.- 10a.m. $40+ signup fee. Bfthospitality.com. Register online at runsignup.com

JAN 21 & 22

3RD ANNUAL OYSTER FESTIVAL WEEKEND: Come to this event taking place during the Tides to Tables Restaurant Week for a fabulous low country weekend! Free Admission. 9a.m.- 3:30p.m. Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park on Bay Street, Beaufort. 843-525-7011 or Info@bfthospitality.com or Bftoysterfestival.com

JAN 28

SNOW DAY PRESENTED BY THE ISLAND RECREATION CENTER: This family-friendly event will have inflatable rides, a snowfield and entertainment. 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for ages 2-17. 843-6817273 or Islandreccenter.org

magic Believe in

When I was the editor of a weekly newspaper, December was always one of my most favorite months because I had the opportunity to read some of the area’s most enjoyable and meaningful works — letters to Santa Claus.

We invited the young students from the schools to write letters to Saint Nick, and then we shared them with our readers. I have fond memories of sitting after-hours at the office with stacks of letters (easily in the hundreds) covering my desk as I read heartfelt wishes.

The letters never disappointed. The children wondered where elves come from, requested gifts (plenty of them) and told Santa they were doing well in school.

Sometimes they complained about their “annoying” sister, but generally they wished their siblings well (“I love my sister, please bring her something too,” a student said).

Their empathy showed as well. The kids told Santa that they were leaving milk and cookies to make sure he wouldn’t go hungry. They wanted to know if Santa was giving presents to kids who are in need, and they wished for gifts to be given to children in the hospital.

Often a child wrote that they just wanted their family to be happy. They told Santa they loved him.

A common message was to assure Santa that they knew he was real. They believed.

The enthusiasm of the children continues to spark joy each holiday season and is a reminder to savor the moments of wonder.

A child’s faith in jolly Ol’ Saint Nick delivering a hoped-for bicycle or a long-sought electronic device isn’t silly naivete but a dreamy sense of awe.

Why not occasionally believe in magic?

Wonder can be found in the inspiring moment of hearing the perfect piece of music or in reading a book or story that leaves us buzzing with enthusiasm.

Or it can be found in seeing our favorite team perform improbable feats en route to earning an unexpected championship, leaving us delirious in childlike delight.

A holiday memory: One December, just a few days before Christmas, I walked through a department store on my way inside a mall.

The store had racks of bland everyday shirts and neutral-colored jackets and there was an aisle with shoes scattered on the floor.

The lighting was dull. I don’t remember hearing any music.

There certainly was no holiday cheer.

But then the unexpected happened. As I stepped from the store into the mall, a seemingly new world emerged.

Cheerful holiday music blared. Festive lights sparkled. Children rode on a small train.

The air smelled of candy. A child sat on Santa Claus’ lap, nervously telling him all his Christmas wishes. A decorated tree stood tall.

The train blew its horn.

It was as if I stumbled into a holiday wonderland.

Magic.

The moment may have been fleeting — and instantly the stresses of finding the perfect gift and navigating the throng of people emerged — but it’s a small, delightful memory that sticks with me.

It was the type of moment of wonder that hopefully we all experience and embrace, to be called upon in quiet times when we are blissfully lost in our memories.

ANTHONY GARZILLI : editor anthony@hiltonheadmonthly.com

“THE ENTHUSIASM OF THE CHILDREN IS A REMINDER TO SAVOR THE MOMENTS OF WONDER.”