Bluffton Monthly August 2021

GENERAL “FIG” NEWTON

REALTOR PROFILES

25 YEARS OF ARTS

BLUFFTON SCHOOL

Guide

SEE INSIDE

MEET THE

winners OF THE CUTEST PET CONTEST

AU G U ST 2 0 2 1 // $ 4. 9 5

MOnthLY

VOICE of the LOWCOUNTRY

843-842-6988 | hiltonheadmonthly.com MEDIA ENTREPRENEUR

Marc Frey marc@hiltonheadmonthly.com

PRESIDENT

Anuska Frey anuska@hiltonheadmonthly.com

C0-PUBLISHERS

Sasha Sweeney sasha@hiltonheadmonthly.com Meredith DiMuzio meredith@hiltonheadmonthly.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Anthony Garzilli anthony@hiltonheadmonthly.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Rebecca Cashwell cashwell@hiltonheadmonthly.com

ART DIRECTOR

Madison Elrod madison@hiltonheadmonthly.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Allyson Venrick allyson@hiltonheadmonthly.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Majka Mochnac majka@hiltonheadmonthly.com 843-290-9372 Mary Ann Kent maryann@hiltonheadmonthly.com 843-384-9390 Markey McInerney markey@hiltonheadmonthly.com 843-949-2591 Kevin Paige kevin@hiltonheadmonthly.com 843-298-6168

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Heather Edge heather@yourlocalmarketingteam.com PHOTOGRAPHERS: Madison Elrod, Rob Kaufman, Lloyd Wainscott WRITERS: Amy Coyne Bredeson, Becca Edwards, Carrie Hirsch, Justin Jarrett, Barry Kaufman, Mark E. Lett, James Mallory, Nicole Schultz, Vickie McIntyre, Tim Wood

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IIAUGUST ISSUEII

“must reads”

24

100 24 Aspire to Achieve

Gen. Lloyd Newton aims to inspire younger generation.

42 80 H ot Housing Market Why real estate sales enjoyed resurgence.

GENERAL “FIG” NEWTON

SCHOOL

Guide

SEE INSIDE

42 P et Contest Winners See who was recognized as the Lowcountry’s most adorable pets.

52 Lowcountry Realtors

Learn about the top agents who help you buy or sell.

100 Painting Music

Alex Gentemann sees the sounds in his work.

132 How it Happened

Behind the Scenes at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina.

25 YEARS OF ARTS

REALTOR PROFILES

HILTON HEAD GENERAL “FIG” NEWTON

BLUFFTON REALTOR PROFILES

25 YEARS OF ARTS

SCHOOL

Guide

SEE INSIDE

MEET THE

s nnPETer wiCUTEST CONTEST OF THE

MEET THE

winners OF

AU G U ST 2 0 2 1 // $ 4. 9 5

THE CUTEST PET CONTEST

AU G U ST 2 0 2 1 // $ 4. 9 5

ABOUT THE COVERS:

Photographer Lloyd Wainscott captured two of the winners of our annual cutest pets contest. See all the winners and many of the entries starting on page 42.

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IIAUGUST 2021II

contents

40

32 COMMUNITY

18 : Partnering for the People Bluffton Self Help and The Literacy Center merge.

HEALTH

65 : Comfort Care Making the right decision for your loved one.

HOME

BUSINESS

32 : Cycling Ahead Ken Fagut leads Avocado Bikes.

36 : Protecting Pets Carolina Veterinary Critical Care offers emergency assistance.

70 : Pet-Friendly Plants Keep your furry friend safe.

74 : Dorm Room Makeover Decorating options that are trending this year.

PARENTING

PETS

40 : Art is in the Details Debby Bloom paints the essence of pets and wildlife.

98 : Activities for Kids Fun sports for the fall season.

122 BACK TO SCHOOL

106 : Higher Education Choices abound for college prep.

108 : School Briefs The latest news from area schools.

110 : School Profiles A primer on the area’s finest educational institutions.

120 : Lifelong Learning Osher Institute offers adult education options.

GOOD DEEDS

122 : Comfort at the Airport Puppy brings care to travelers.

DINING

137 : Summer Wine Enjoy a cool drink when the weather is hot.

+ IN

EVERY ISSUE

8 : At The Helm 10 : Opinion 12 : Contributors 14 : News 16 : Pets to Adopt

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20 : Social Spotlight 22 : Photos of the Month 28 : Community Connection 30 : On the Move

83 : Real Estate News 124 : Calendar 136 : Dining Briefs 138 : Restaurant Listings 144 : Perspective

IIAT THE HELMII

dear reader...

It’s hard to choose a favorite issue or month of the year, but at Monthly we especially like putting the August issue together.

Each August we publish the results of our annual Cutest Pets contest. This year we had more than 300 entries, including a variety of dogs and cats, guinea pigs and even a chicken.

The voting was close, and we had so much fun looking at all the entries, but once the votes were tallied, we had three winners; each of whom received their own professional photoshoot.

Pets enrich our lives in so many ways, and one way we can return the favor is by making sure they stay as healthy as possible.

The Lowcountry now has a new option for emergency care with a veterinary clinic in Bluffton that offers services late at night and during the weekend.

In the South, August also means heading back to school.

We spotlight retired four-star Gen. Lloyd “Fig” Newton, who recognized the importance education played in his life and seeks to inspire others.

Deciding which school to send your children to, or what programs to enroll them in, can be overwhelming. Hilton Head Island and Bluffton offer different options for education, and we profile many of those in this issue.

Learning is a lifelong quest, no matter your age. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute has adult classes on a multitude of topics that ensure there is something to be learned by everyone.

Many of us are part of the so called “sandwich generation,” those who are adults who care for their own children and help aging parents navigate their care needs. We break down some of the options for senior assistance, from in-home to memory care.

The only thing hotter than the weather seems to be the real estate market. In this issue we introduce our readers to some of the area’s top real estate agents and highlight why the real estate market is sizzling.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

SASHA SWEENEY MEREDITH DIMUZIO Co-Publishers

CUTEST PETS

Contest 2021 PAGE 42

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IIOPINIONII

“letter ” MOVING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT FORWARD

By Frank Rodriguez

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since I last wrote this column for Monthly magazine.

And what a year it has been: from virtual, to hybrid, to faceto-face instruction, our teachers, staff, school administrators and especially our parents have navigated these uncharted waters together, something for which I am extremely grateful.

One thing that has not changed since last year is that our goal is to operate “normal” schooling whenever it’s safe to do so. I am happy to share that schools this fall will be as normal as possible.

As per the governor’s directive, masks will be optional.

Social distancing will take place to the extent possible.

Children will be back eating with their friends in the cafeteria and volunteers will be welcomed back into our school buildings. (We have missed them greatly.)

We will of course continue to be in discussions with DHEC, monitoring the virus and keeping our schools safe. But one thing that became very apparent this past year is that children need to be in school to learn inperson. The South Carolina Department of Education has predicted that seven out of 10 students will be performing below grade level due to the pandemic. This problem is not only isolated to South Carolina; it’s apparent across the nation.

This fall, we will be implementing Performance

Matters, a comprehensive progress monitoring system that provides a holistic view of student data trends so we can identify and address specific gaps of knowledge.

So, if you have a few hours a week to spare, we invite you to contact your local school to inquire about assisting teachers with one-on-one and small group instruction in order to help students fill these gaps.

Without question, there has never been a more pivotal time in recent history for the community to be engaged with the Beaufort County School District to truly make a difference in students’ lives and help move student achievement forward.

As a district, educators have worked hard this summer providing extended learning opportunities for students and our first summer of dual enrollment courses.

And please stay tuned for a new initiative, Parent Connections, that the district will kick off this school year and will provide additional opportunities for parent and community engagement.

I look forward to welcoming our returning families back this fall, and new ones as well. I am so appreciative of the many dedicated teachers and staff who serve our 21,000 students in so many ways.

It continues to be truly an honor to serve as your superintendent.

Frank Rodriguez is Superintendent of the Beaufort County School District.

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IIBEHIND THE SCENESII

meet

ALLYSON VENRICK

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE UNIQUE IDEAS TO HAVE FUN AT HOME

By Nicole Schultz

Summer is in full swing in the Lowcountry. If you’re looking for some at-home ideas to keep the family busy, we’ve rounded up some unique staycation ideas to try this summer.

BACKYARD MOVIE FESTIVAL Find a lowcost outdoor movie projector on Amazon (or check Facebook Marketplace for a deal). Hang a white sheet between two trees, then spread out blankets or beach chairs in the backyard. Kick back and enjoy your favorite family movie under the stars.

“Every morning when I sit down at my computer to work, I think how lucky I am to do something I love so much — especially with the team at Monthly.”

Originally from New Bern, N.C., Allyson moved to Hilton Head in 1987 after graduating from the NC State School of Design. She moved to her dad’s house on the island while seeking a graphic designer job. After several interviews in nearby cities, she found that job right here on the island.

In her more than 23 years at Anderson Communications, she worked on numerous accounts, including Hilton Head IslandBluffton Chamber of Commerce, Disney Timeshare, Marriott Conference Centers, Embraer Executive Jets and more.

In 2009, Allyson started her own freelance business. It was a slow start but grew steadily with many great clients now and, more importantly, good friends.

In 2015, she was offered a job to work at Monthly part-time helping with ads during production “crunch time.” Six years later she’s still doing that and more in ad design and production.

Allyson is “Ma” to her son Walker, 23. She’s been reunited with her teenage crush, Billy, since 2009.

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GO CAMPING If you’re an adventurous crew, a camping trip in the backyard will be an experience your family won’t forget. Set up a tent, grab your sleeping bags and head out back for a night with nature. If you don’t have an ideal yard for this set up, go camping inside: pitch your tent in the living room or make one out of blankets and pillows. Find recipes to “roast” marshmallows in the oven and listen to nature sounds on YouTube.

FAMILY BOARD GAME TOURNAMENT Everyone loves a little healthy competition!

Host a family board game tournament featuring quick and easy games like Candyland, UNO, Guess Who, or whatever is age appropriate.

Set up different gaming stations throughout the house and play each other one-on-one. Buy a large poster board and create a board game bracket so you can keep track of who is winning.

TAKE ON A FAMILY PROJECT There’s no better time to take on a family project than during the summer! If you’ve been talking about adding a tree house or a fire pit to your home, Google the steps to DIY one together. Take a trip to the hardware store to pick out materials and work together to make it happen. Enjoy the time you spend together creating something new.

CHECK IT OUT @ HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM

IILOCAL NEWSII

“in the know ” Tropical Storm Elsa brought to the Lowcountry heavy rain and power outages, a Bluffton native was crowned Miss South Carolina, and the U.S. 278 improvement project’s recommendation was revealed. Here’s what made news during the previous month:

TROPICAL STORM ELSA

MISS SOUTH CAROLINA

TROPICAL STORM ELSA KNOCKS OUT POWER, BRINGS DOWN TREES

BLUFFTON WOMAN CROWNED MISS SOUTH CAROLINA

Trees and power lines were knocked down the night of July 7 and early July 8 during Tropical Storm Elsa. Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue said it responded to more than 66 incidents, including 33 trees fallen in the road. Palmetto Electric reported approximately 19,800 outages on Hilton Head Island at the height of the storm, a HHI Fire Rescue news release said. Bluffton Township Fire District said it received six reports of trees falling on houses.

No injuries had been reported. Rain soaked the Lowcountry with a reported 4-5 inches of rain in Bluffton and on Hilton Head Island. Wind gusts of 81 mph were recorded on the Calibogue Sound at 11:13 p.m., according to the National Weather Service in Charleston.

The National Weather Service said a storm survey confirmed there were tornadoes in Port Royal and Parris Island.

Julia Herrin of Bluffton was crowned Miss South Carolina on June 26. Herrin, 19, is an Auburn University student. She will participate in this year’s Miss America competition and will receive a $60,000 scholarship. She competed as Miss Clarendon. The Miss America competition is scheduled for December.

“I am honored and humbled to be Miss South Carolina 2021,” Herrin said in a Facebook post. “I can not say thank you enough to every person who has encouraged and loved on me, not just over the last few days, but on my entire journey in the Miss America Organization over the last six years.”

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PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE US 278 PROJECT The U.S. 278 Corridor Improvements documents are available to view, and the formal comment period has begun. View

all materials online through Aug. 22, or schedule an appointment at the Island Rec Center (20 Wilborn Road) Aug. 18-21. The plan, in part, is for South Carolina Department of Transportation to widen U.S. 278 between Moss Creek Drive and Squire Pope Road from four to six lanes. It would replace the existing four bridges to the island with a single, six-lane bridge.

Estimated cost is $289,902,745. For more information, visit scdot278corridor.com.

BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL PASSES 2022 BUDGET Beaufort County Council approved a $132.6 million budget for the 2022 fiscal year. It includes a millage rate increase of 0.6 mills. The budget increased by $2 million because of an 8 percent increase in tax revenue because of population growth, the county said. A news release noted eliminating unfilled staff positions creates about $800,000 in savings. The

budget includes a $1.97 million increase in emergency medical services and a $1.6 million increase in parks and recreation.

SECOND REFERENDUM SET FOR NOVEMBER Residents of Beaufort County will decide in November whether to change the county’s form of government from the current form of council-administrator to council-manager. Council voted 6-5 on June 28 to include the question on the Nov. 2 ballot. If the referendum passes, council then will be able to, under a councilmanager setup, make the county treasurer and auditor appointed positions. Those positions are currently elected. The other referendum for voters will be to decide whether to approve a 1% sales tax.

PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSIONS ON NEW BUSINESS LICENSE LAW The Revenue Services Department for

the Town of Hilton Head Island is hosting a public information session to update business owners about a proposed new business license ordinance. The session is Tuesday, Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Stephen G. Riley Municipal Complex (Town Hall), 1 Town Center Court.

Attendees will learn about changes to the Town’s business license ordinance.

BEAUFORT COUNTY SUES AUDITOR Beaufort County sued its auditor Jim Beckert for his “failure and refusal” to perform his duties, according to a lawsuit filed July 9. The suit alleges Beckert has a “contentious and adversarial” relationship with county employees and officials and he’s made “frequent threats or promises not to do things that state law plainly requires him to do.” The suit says the county seeks for Beckert, an elected official, to do “what he is statutorily required to do.”

SCHOOL DISTRICT HOLDS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY RENOVATIONS Battery Creek High School celebrated the beginning of construction on the school district’s project to be funded through the bond referendum approved by county voters in November 2019. A total of $56 million in referendum funds was budgeted for the renovations. The completion date is expected to be September 2023.

HILTON HEAD’S GRIZ QUALIFIES FOR U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP Hilton Head Island’s Jonathan Griz tied for medalist honors in U.S. Amateur Qualifying at Keith Hills Golf Club in Buies Creek, N.C. He shot a 4-under-par 140 over 36 holes July 5 to qualify for the U.S. Amateur Championship, which is set for Aug. 9-15 at the Oakmont Country Club and Longue Vue Club in Pennsylvania.

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IILOCAL NEWSII

“pets”

OF THE MONTH

RHETT SNEED

BLUFFTON’S NIMMER ENJOYS GOLF SUCCESS Bluffton’s Bryson Nimmer tied for third place in the second event on the new Forme Tour. Nimmer had four consecutive rounds in the 60s and tied for third at the Auburn University Club Invitational. He finished three shots behind champion Philip Knowles.

Age: 5 years old Gender: Male Weight: 60 pounds Breed: Pit Bull Temperament: Sweet, playful, high energy.

Strong handler required.

KEITH Age: 5 years old Gender: Male Weight: 58 pounds Breed: Pit Bull Temperament: : Sweet, playful, high energy.

Must be only animal in house.

HILTON HEAD HIGH FOOTBALL STAR HEADED TO NOTRE DAME Jaylen Sneed, a standout football player at Hilton Head High School, committed to attend the University of Notre Dame. The senior linebacker is ranked the No. 97 overall prospect at 247Sports.com.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Sneed pick Notre Dame over Oregon, Tennesse, Texas A & M Oklahoma, according to The Athletic.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE WARNS OF SCAMS A Bluffton man told the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office that he received a call from a “Jonathan Smith,” who said he was a representative from Amazon.com. The call was from an 843 area code. The man said he called about a purchase the Bluffton man made for $864.56. “Smith” told him he could process a “refund.” After showing the Bluffton man an overpaid “refund” of $4,000, the scammer instructed him to return the money by buying gift cards. The man purchased eight gift cards and texted the card numbers to “Smith” before realizing he had been scammed. To report a possible scam, call the non-emergency dispatch line at 843-524-2777.

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

For more information:

843-540-6755 OR GO TO WWW.NOAHS-ARKS.NET 16 // H I LT O N H E A D M O N T H LY. C O M

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IILOCAL NEWSII

BLUFFTON SELF HELP AND THE LITERACY CENTER MERGE

nonprofit

PARTNERSHIP

BY BECCA EDWARDS | PHOTO BY MADISON ELROD

“Samantha” was a single mom With the merger, the of three children, working two organizations will have four jobs, struggling to make ends locations in Beaufort and Jasper counties—two in meet. She would visit Bluffton Self Help to utilize the food Bluffton, one each in Hilton pantry to provide fresh, healthy Head and Hardeeville.

Bluffton Self Help said six food options for her family.

But when her car broke down in 10 households in Beaufort and she needed help seeking County and three out of four rental assistance, she ended up in Jasper County are not talking with Bluffton Self Help’s earning a living wage and are Education and Resource Center “just one mishap away from a manager, Barbara Bowers. Her financial crisis.” life changed with financial “It’s important to help our planning and one impactful local community to reach their conversation that went sometrue potential, to have quality of life and to earn that livable thing like this: wage,” Hall said.

“What do you want to do BLUFFTON SELF HELP BOARD CHAIRMAN professionally?” asked Bowers.

Hall joined Bluffton Self DOUG ADAMSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR “To be a nurse, but I can’t do Help four years ago, but her KIMBERLY HALL AND THE LITERACY CENTER it,” said Samantha, which is a own passion for this type of CHAIRMAN DON BRASHEARS pseudonym. work began during her “Not only can you do it, but childhood. we will be with you along the “I lost my parents when I MISS SOUTH CAROLINA way,” Bowers said. was young,” Hall said. “But organizations were there for me. I learned it Executive Director of Bluffton Self Help, Kimberly Hall, said Self Help is important to be there for people not just in crisis but when life happens. “quickly matched Sam with a mentor for guidance, encouragement and This job, it’s personal.” support and supported her enrollment in Technical College of the Brad Steele, executive director of The Literacy Center, said in an Lowcountry.” interview that the merger will bring two “legacy organizations” together.

“If it weren’t for Barbara, I couldn’t do this. She was the first person Bluffton Self Help was founded in 1987. The Literacy Center was who told me I could. I cried. I can do it,” said Samantha. founded in 1973.

Thanks to a recent merger between nonprofits Bluffton Self Help and “I saw that our DNA and cultures were so much alike,” Steele said.

The Literacy Center, more people will receive the basic education and “We could not have picked a better partner.” training programs to meet the growing needs of the economically at-risk Steele said the added locations will help The Literacy Center reach in Beaufort and Jasper counties. more people. He expects TLC to have more than 400 students this semester The merger will promote educational programming, adult literacy and by 2022 he hopes to have 500 to 700 students in the program. He said services, GED preparation workforce training, and career readiness. another benefit is having the addition of about 20 more tutors through In a news release, Literacy Center Chairman Don Brashears said, “We Bluffton Self Help. both have deep roots in our communities and a strong desire to do whatever The Literacy Center also plans to add a Certified Nurse Assistance needs to be done to lift neighbors out of at-risk situations and empower program next year. Steele noted about 65 percent of those who attend TLC them to improve their lives.” are women ages 25 to 44.

Said Hall: “We are excited to have the courage to make it happen, and In an interview Hall said, “We have over 30 years of deep history in the heart of Bluffton and partnering with The Literacy Center we now it has been a seamless transition because one thing we both have in the have a combined 80 years. It is an alignment of core values and passion forefront is the clients and community.” for the community.”

For more information, visit blufftonselfhelp.org or theliteracycenter.org.

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IIIN THE SPOTLIGHTII

GET SOCIAL!

1

3

2

4

1. Fun times abound during a recent Savannah Bananas baseball game. 2. Savannah Vascular Institute celebrated a ribbon cutting on the opening of its Bluffton office.

3. A festive dog takes a break during Hardeeville’s 4th off Main celebration. 4. A good time was enjoyed at Burnt Church Distillery for the seventh annual Bluffton Juneteenth Celebration. The events were in partnership with the Bluffton MLK Observance Committee.

TO SUBMIT A PHOTO OF YOUR EVENT, EMAI L EDITOR @ HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM

20 H I LT O N H E A D M O N T H LY. C O M

A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 // 21

PHOTOS MONTH OF THE

1

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1. Shelley Harbour took this photo at Harbour Town overlooking Calibogue Sound. 2. Lewis enjoys a contemplative time at the beach at Sea Pines as captured by Marc Schwitters.

3. Angela Anderson photographed her granddaughter Cora Janney at Pine Island Beach in Hilton Head Plantation.

H AV E A N I N C R E D I B LE P H OTO TO S H A R E? W E’D LOV E TO S E E IT. SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS TO EDITOR @ HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM

22 // H I LT O N H E A D M O N T H LY. C O M

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IICOMMUNITYII

RETIRED AIR FORCE GEN. LLOYD NEWTON AIMS TO INSPIRE YOUNGER GENERATION

BY ANTHONY GARZILLI | PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN

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A drive on Interstate 95 can seem monotonous: the usual flurry of hurrying cars, rumbling tractor-trailers and signs for fast food.

But in northern Jasper County there’s a landmark worth catching your eye.

As drivers approach Ridgeland, they are welcomed with a green sign at Exit 21 that recognizes one of the Lowcountry’s most accomplished natives.

The General Lloyd “Fig” Newton Interchange, which was named in Newton’s honor in 2012, is one of many distinctions that pays tribute to the retired U.S. Air Force four-star general’s journey from a small town to an accomplished military career.

“I can’t tell you how many people have said, ‘I saw that sign. Is that you?’ ” Newton said. “I didn’t know the impact it was going to have.”

Newton’s impactful success story is the inspiration for his book, “Living the Dream: The Story of Lloyd W. “Fig” Newton.” Written with B.J. Harvey Hill, Newton, who now lives in Bluffton, said the goal is to inspire the younger generation, primarily those in junior high school and older.

“I was thinking about youngsters who may not have high aspirations about their future, about how far they can go,” said Newton, whose military service was from 1966 to 2000. “I was in the same place. I had no idea what it would be like to be a pilot.”

Growing up in the 1940s in Gillisonville, a few miles north of Ridgeland near what is now Congaree Golf Club, Newton was always fascinated by the military, especially those sharp uniforms.

His cousin, Lee Newton, was in the Army and it often became a big local event when he returned home.

“Even though we lived in a rural area, it seemed like everybody knew he was home because we wanted to see him,” Newton said. “I was always impressed with the military and the uniforms they wore.”

Newton would watch the planes fly out of Savannah and wonder what it would be like to soar high in the sky. He thought he’d ride in an airplane some day, but never imagined he’d be a pilot.

His interest peaked while attending Jasper High School and he planned to enlist in the Air Force after graduation.

But an instructor, Fouch Shanklin, thought Newton’s best career path would be through continuing his education.

Until then nobody had talked seriously to Newton about going to college, but one fortuitous conversation changed the course of his life. Newton learned he could get a degree and still go into the military.

He attended Tennessee State University and discovered it had Air Force ROTC and aviation programs.

The stars were aligning. Newton earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation education and a commission as an officer in the U.S. Air Force.

“I can be a pilot? Growing up, particularly as a Black kid here, that wasn’t something you ever thought you could do,” Newton said.

REACH FOR THE SKY

A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 // 25

IICOMMUNITYII

Gen. Lloyd “Fig” Newton, pictured with his wife Elouise, has written a book that chronicles his time growing up in a small town to a succesful military career.

Newton flew many different aircraft, including the F-4, F-15, F-16 and the F-117 Stealth Fighter. He flew 269 combat missions in south Vietnam and 79 missions over north Vietnam. Newton logged more than 4,000 flying hours.

He served as the first African American pilot with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

The path, Newton said, begin with a commitment to education.

His parents, John and Annie, had limited formal education but stressed to Newton and his seven siblings the importance of getting good grades.

He lived in a farm community, where many of the kids worked on the farm. Sometimes children would help on the farm instead of going to school, but as much as they could, Newton’s parents kept their children in school.

“They were big supporters of education,” Newton said.

His father would ask him what was the most important fourletter word in the dictionary? The answer was: Know.

Newton’s father understood the more his children knew, the more successful they’d be.

“Knowledge is the key,” his father said.

That instilled passion for education is why Newton welcomed the opportunity to help Polaris Tech Charter School get jumpstarted.

Newton and his wife were retired in Florida when he was contacted about helping the proposed school, which would focus, in part, on teaching “real world” skills that relate to this

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THAT INSTILLED PASSION FOR EDUCATION IS WHY NEWTON WELCOMED THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP POLARIS TECH CHARTER SCHOOL GET JUMPSTARTED.

area: aerospace, informational technology, health care, advanced manufacturing, logistics and business management.

Newton was happy to get involved. The groundwork began in 2016, and the Ridgeland-based school — which has students from Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties — opened in 2018. This June, 19 students became Polaris Tech’s first graduating class.

Newton is the chairman of the board of directors.

“There’s so much of an opportunity to change the whole dynamic of how you transfer knowledge into the individual,” he said.

The free charter school expects to have about 325 students for the 2021-2022 school year.

Newton is 78 years old. He’s had a decorated career. He could kick back and enjoy the laidback Lowcountry lifestyle.

No chance.

“Just seeing the growth in some of the learners, you go, ‘Wow,’ ” Newton said. “When you see that, you want to stay involved.”

Newton hopes “Living the Dream,” which details his time growing up through the end of his military career, will be a guiding point for the young. He hopes they will read the book and understand there are an infinite number of possibilities ahead.

“I want to get them to appreciate the opportunities they have in front of them,” Newton said. “In their minds they probably are not thinking they can climb to great heights, but I’m hoping that if they read this book, they can step away and say, ‘You know what? If he can do it, I can do it even better.’ ”

A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 // 27

IIIN THE SPOTLIGHTII

“community connection ”

MOSS CREEK

KBRS FISHING TOURNAMENT BENEFITS HOME BUILDERS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The KBRS Hard Core Cobia Tournament in June at the Skull Creek Boathouse helped raise more than $7,000 for the Hilton Head Area Home Builders Education Foundation. KBRS donated $1,500. This is the 29th year the Hilton Head Area Home Builders Education Foundation awarded scholarships to graduating seniors from Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties.

MOSS CREEK GARDEN TOUR RAISES MONEY FOR CHARITABLE FUND

The Moss Creek Hidden Beauty Garden Tour raised more than $4,000 for the Moss Creek Charitable Fund. The tour held in June featured 12 gardens. The Moss Creek Charitable Fund supports local charities and programs in the Lowcountry through an annual grants process. The application deadline for 2021 is Sept. 15. Contact Linda Watson, Grants Chair, for more information at librarunner@yahoo.com.

SEA PINES’ RACQUET FACILITIES RANKED 14TH IN THE U.S.

The tennis and pickleball center at Sea Pines Country Club is ranked among the “Top 45 Racquet Facilities in the U.S.” by Club + Resort Business (C + RB), coming in at No. 14 on the inaugural list. In addition to its tennis offerings, the club installed a USA Pickleball Association regulation surface in 2020. A new Pickleball Patio featuring outdoor furniture, umbrellas, comfort stations and an information board was part of the project.

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STAJIC

PALMETTO BREEZE TRANSIT CAMPAIGN RECOGNIZED FOR MARKETING EXCELLENCE

The American Public Transportation Association recognized the Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority’s “Being Kind is a Breeze: Chalk-the-Stops” kindness campaign from August 2020 with a first-place transit marketing and communications award. The award is one of the most prestigious honors that transit agencies and their industry partners across North America can receive for excellence in marketing and communications, a news release said. The first-place certificate will be presented to Palmetto Breeze’s marketing consultant and APTA member, Lost Art Communications, in October at APTA’s 2021 Marketing & Communications Workshop in Philadelphia, Pa.

COASTAL CAROLINA HOSPITAL NURSE EARNS EXCELLENCE IN NURSING AWARD

Hilton Head Regional Healthcare said Bana Stajic is Coastal Carolina Hospital’s most recent Daisy RN Award recipient.

Before accepting a staff RN role in the hospital’s intensive care unit, Stajic worked as a travel nurse serving in the hospital’s medical/surgical unit.

SECOND HELPINGS AND VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE CLINIC OF HILTON HEAD PARTNER

Second Helpings and Volunteers in Medicine Clinic have started a food program to help VIM Clinic clients. Starting July 1, VIM Clinic began distributing a bag

SMALLS

of nonperishable food items to clients who are food insecure. The program is made possible by a grant and donations provided by members of St. Luke’s Church on Hilton Head.

GULLAH GEECHEE CULTURAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR NAMES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Victoria Smalls has been named executive director of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. Smalls, a National Park Ranger with the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort, is from St. Helena Island.

Smalls served on the 13-member federal c o m m i s s i o n a s a S o u t h C a ro l i n a Commissioner from 2016-2020. She is a public historian, educator, arts advocate, and cultural preservationist, a news release said.

THE LITERACY CENTER ANNOUNCES STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP

The Literacy Center has created a scholarship in honor of one of its longtime tutors. The Joe Distelheim Award will fund two $500 annual scholarships for students at The Literacy Center. The awards will go to adult students nominated by tutors and chosen by a tutor panel. As of mid-July $33,000 has been raised, Executive Director Brad Steele said. For more information, visit theliteracycenter.org.

HHI COMPUTER CLUB AND HILTON HEAD REGIONAL HEALTHCARE TEAM UP

The Hilton Head Island Computer Club, in collaboration with Hilton Head Regional Healthcare, helped residents get registered

CHATHAM CAPITAL GROUP

for COVID-19 vaccination appointments. In February, 20 HHI Computer Club volunteers assisted more than 100 people. By the end of March, 250 people obtained vaccine schedules with this help. To learn more about the Club, visit HHICC.org.

TOWN OF HILTON HEAD LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

The Town of Hilton Head Island has a new website at hiltonheadislandsc.gov. The website redesign features easier navigation, refreshed content and improved functionality, a news release said. It features a citizen self-service portal for submitting and tracking requests for building permits and an open data portal featuring interactive maps, dashboards and data to help people learn about community development, town projects, parks, recreation, transportation and other topics.

BOOK DROP BLITZ ENCOURAGES SUMMER READING

The Beaufort County School District has partnered with The United Way of the Lowcountry, The Public Library Foundation of Beaufort County, and The Pat Conroy Literary Center to provide free books to children this summer. Through Aug. 14, free books will be available for students at Beaufort County lending libraries, and public libraries throughout Beaufort County. There are 19 locations. Aug. 1-7, “The Sea Island’s Secret” by Susan Diamond Riley; Aug. 8-14, “P is for Palmetto” by Carol Crane, illustrated by Mary Whyte. For more information, visit beaufortschools.net.

CHATHAM CAPITAL GROUP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

Chatham Capital Group, with offices in Savannah, Ga., and Hilton Head, is celebrating its 25th year in business. The company oversees more than $500 million in assets for individuals, families and related charitable entities.

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“on the move ” 1. STONEWORKS NAMES SALES MANAGER

4. BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND WELCOMES BOARD MEMBER

Shannon Baltzegar has been promoted to sales manager at StoneWorks. She is the daughter of founder John Baltzegar III and one of the company’s owners.

She has worked in the business officially for more than 23 years. Baltzegar is a member of Professional Women in Building Council of Hilton Head Area HBA.

2. SECOND HELPINGS WELCOMES A NEW AND RETURNING MEMBER TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Andy Cook re-joins the Second Helpings board after previously serving as a board member from 2014-2019, including serving as vice president from 20172019. He chaired the 2017 Second Helpings’ Share the Bounty fundraiser.

He is a financial advisor/vice president at Morgan Stanley on Hilton Head.

Frank Pici is a CPA who retired after serving as CFO for Monroe Energy. In addition to serving on the Friday food rescue team for Second Helpings for the past two years, he assisted in administering a HUD grant the organization received this past year.

From 2014-2018, Pici was executive-inresidence and adjunct faculty member at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

2. COOK

5. HOMEWARE AND KITCHENWARE SHOP OPENS IN BLUFFTON

Cassandra’s Kitchen, a retail shop that carries Ina Garten home and kitchen products, has opened in Bluffton.

Owners Cassandra Schultz and Cintia Parsons formerly launched a website to sell Ina Garten products. The shop also sells hotel silver and other essentials.

5. SCHULTZ

3. BLUFFTON OWNERS NAMED BUDGET BLINDS TOP SALES WINNERS

Budget Blinds presented a 2021 Budget Blinds Top Sales Award to Bob and Kate Engler, owners of Budget Blinds of Hilton Head Island and Beaufort in Bluffton, for being among the brand’s top performers in annual sales in 2020. The Englers were among six Budget Blinds Top Sales Award winners who generated the most window covering and accessory sales in 2020 out of more than 900 Budget Blinds business owners in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, a news release said.

Budget Blinds also has premiered its new showroom, which the company said is larger and features more product options.

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Eric R. Thompson, a former Coca-Cola executive, has joined the board of the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island.

Thompson had led finance for the CocaCola Company in developing markets around the world. He began his career with Price Waterhouse and Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh.

6.THE GREENERY

6. THE GREENERY ACQUIRES COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE COMPANY

The Greenery has acquired Amelia Island-based Martex Services Landscape Management. Martex Services will operate under the leadership of The Greenery, Inc. Martex Services began in 1973, a news release said. “We look forward to continuing to provide quality landscape services to the people and businesses of Amelia Island and Jacksonville,” said Lee Edwards, CEO of The Greenery, Inc.

7. ISLAND FAMILY MEDICINE WELCOMES ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE Kathryn Sams, APNP, has joined Island Family Medicine. She has been a family nurse practitioner for more than 18 years. Sams has done mission work in Honduras for 15 years.

8. BEAUFORT MEMORIAL WELCOMES PHYSICIAN

7. SAMS

Kimberly Bean, FNP-C, has joined Beaufort Memorial at its Bluffton Primary Care practice in Okatie. An experienced board-certified family nurse

practitioner, Bean has worked in a family medicine practice and with hospice and long-term care agencies locally, as well as in several nursing positions in the Spartanburg area.

9. RED CROSS NAMES NEW BOARD CHAIR Katarina Fjording has been named board chairperson at the Red Cross of the Lowcountry. Fjording has served as the Vice Chair of the board since 2020. She has been volunteering with the Red Cross since 2001.

10. PARKER’S WELCOMES TWO TO THE TEAM

Kara S. Hardiman and Johnny Wood Jr. have joined Parker’s. They were hired to strengthen the company’s internal operations as it continues expansion plans in coastal Georgia and South Carolina, a news release said. Hardiman, who lives in Bluffton, serves as the company’s new director of learning and development. Wood Jr. is the new controller. He lives in Savannah.

11. MANSION ON FORSYTH WELCOMES FOOD AND BEVERAGE DIRECTOR

The Mansion on Forsyth Park has added Jeff DeBoissiere as the Savannah-based hotel’s new director of food and beverage.

He will oversee all food and beverage operations at 700 Drayton restaurant, 700 Kitchen Cooking School and Bösendorfer Lounge. DeBoissiere brings more than a decade of experience to his position. In 2019, DeBoissiere was named Leader of the Year and Leader of the Quarter at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa.

VISIT US @ HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM FOR MORE HAPPENINGS

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THE CYCLE NEVER ENDS

BY BARRY KAUFMAN | PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN

There’s a rite of passage each of us encounters in our lives, and for some reason we usually encounter this seminal moment at the age of 13. It’s when we discover the one thing we love; the one passion that will dictate every moment from then on out.

For Ken Fagut, that rite of passage came the first time he mounted his bicycle, started pedaling, and didn’t stop until he’d put 100 miles of road beneath his wheels.

“I was hooked, man,” he said. “I’d be gone all day. My

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parents would have freaked if they knew how far I’d gone. I just loved cycling.”

From that first 100-mile ride, cycling became the nexus of Fagut’s entire reality. In his native New York, he opened Open Road Sports, a retail operation that let him share his passion for cycling with others even as he acted as an advocate for the sport.

As treasurer for the New York Bicycling Commission, he worked alongside law enforcement to create safer bike laws,

KEN FAGUT IS ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD

helped develop a statewide bicycle safety system, advocated for greater pathways and promoted cycling tourism.

Oh, and when he wasn’t working to grow the sport, he was chasing the glory of competition.

“I raced for 10 years, qualifying for nationals,” he said. “I always loved time trials. It was just me and the clock.”

Over time, the self-professed techie would take his passion for cycling to the next level as he would advance the burgeoning market for “e-bikes,” bicycles powered partially

by lightweight electric motors.

“I get to blend my innate technical sense with my passion for cycling. And it’s getting more people out than ever before,” he said. “In the past when I would sell a bike, I knew that bike would be ridden maybe three times a year.

E-bikes get ridden three times a week on average… Electric has opened the door to a multitude of individuals to get out, be active and shed weight.”

Fagut quickly became one of the foremost authorities on

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electric bikes, establishing a network of manufacturers and retailers that stretched across the planet.

Through this network, Avocado Bikes was born.

The mission of his company is two-fold. At its core, you have the bike itself, a finely tuned machine that amplifies your own pedal power with a durable electric motor. Avocado Bikes designed their bikes around ride quality first, then studied the best way to make it the best e-experience. Each bike is engineered, designed, and serviced on Hilton Head Island.

“We have full control over performance. We wanted to keep them simple and durable and most importantly, safe,” he said.

And he keeps a close eye on that performance.

“I’ve personally been to the factories where each component is made,” he said.

The second component is the unique hospitality facet. Essentially, the company partners with hotels and restaurants to offer these bikes as rentals, with the partner getting a cut of each bike taken out.

Operating a company that specializes in cycling and hospitality, it was only a matter of time before Fagut discovered Hilton Head Island, a place where both are celebrated.

Avocado Bikes CEO Ken Fagut has had a passion for cycling since he was 13 years old.

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“It was really just by chance. I have five daughters and we try to do a family vacation once a year,” he said. “We came to Hilton Head, rented some bikes, and that’s when I was like, ‘There are paths everywhere. This is amazing.’… After vacation, I called up my partners and said, ‘I’m going to show you where we have to launch our pilot program.’”

He and his partners launched their hospitality program just in time for the COVID-19 pandemic to essentially kneecap every business with whom they were looking to partner, but once Fagut had some momentum going, it was off to the races.

Avocado Bikes has started offering their bikes for sale on its website and Fagut has expanded the program to Provincetown, Rhode Island, and a few spots in Florida.

“I look back and just think, ‘Holy cow.’ I came here a little over a year ago with nothing set up, and now… I have couples who tell us they’ve been coming here for 23 years and they’ve never had this much fun,” said Fagut.

It all started with a 100-mile bike ride. For Ken Fagut, that was just the start of a journey that still thrills him with every pedal.

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STORY BY AMY COYNE BREDESON | PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN

Pet owners in Bluffton and Hilton Head Island now have an additional option for emergency veterinary care.

Carolina Veterinary Critical Care opened Jan. 1 in Bluffton. Since then, owner Matthew Tenwolde has been kept quite busy caring for Lowcountry pets, offering emergency care late at night, early in the morning and on weekends.

“There are people who’ve been in the area a long time, and they’ve had those emergencies in the middle of the night,” Tenwolde said. “You’re 45 minutes to an hour-and-a-half away from the closest emergency clinic. That’s terrifying if you have a true emergency where your animal is not doing well, and the difference could be a matter of life and death.”

Tenwolde shares a space with Ben Parker of Coastal Veterinary Clinic at 21 Buck Island Rd. Soon, he will move into his own building and will be open 24 hours a day. He will also add specialty clinics for surgery, internal medicine, and dermatology.

Tenwolde is thankful to have recently hired two additional veterinarians to help him keep up with the demand.

The issues Tenwolde sees in his office run the gamut from severe emergencies, such as diabetic crisis and bleeding internally, to torn toenails or pets just behaving strangely.

The emergencies Tenwolde and other veterinarians see most often in the Lowcountry involve Sago palms and copperheads. He said every part of a Sago palm is toxic and can cause liver failure. He sees multiple cases of copperhead bites each week because the snakes are camouflaged and don’t shy away from animals. Tenwolde urges pet owners to keep an eye on their animals, especially in wooded areas.

“If somebody’s worried about something, that’s why we’re there,” Tenwolde said.

“If somebody feels like they’re having an urgent issue, whether we find it truly emergent or not, we’ll see them.”

Tenwolde has 16 years’ experience as a veterinarian.

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CAROLINA VETERINARY CRITICAL CARE OFFERS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 // 37

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He graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis, and completed a medical and surgical internship at The Ohio State University. He also took a private surgical internship through Ethos Veterinary Health.

Tenwolde has worked in emergency and general practice veterinary medicine but has always found emergency work much more interesting. He opened an emergency department in Sacramento, Calif., and spent eight years running the department prior to moving to the Lowcountry.

Tenwolde’s wife, Bobbi Jean Tenwolde, is a Bluffton native. The two met and married in California, where she practiced medicine. When they visited Bluffton he realized there was a need for around-the-clock emergency veterinary care, and the couple decided to make the big move across the country.

“We’re very blessed to be here,” Tenwolde said. “My clients and animals around here are certainly in need of having somebody to be able to call and get advice in the middle of the night. Whatever needs to happen, we’re able to provide that. We’re just very excited to be here.”

For more information on Carolina Veterinary Critical Care, visit www.carolinavcc.com, CarolinaVetCC on Facebook and Instagram, or call 843-706-9200.

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Carolina Veterinary Critical Care provides around-theclock emergency pet services in the Lowcountry.

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ARTIST DEBBY BLOOM CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF PETS AND WILDLIFE

BY VICKIE MCINTYRE | PHOTOS BY MADISON ELROD

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Artist Debby Bloom is a woman who has learned to say “yes” when challenged.

Whether it’s painting new subjects or moving across the country during a pandemic to open her first studio/ gallery in Palmetto Dunes Resort, she relies on creativity and optimism to guide her.

It’s a process she’s been fine-tuning since childhood.

Her love affair with color and art began early. Raised in Santa Cruz, Calif., Bloom is grateful she had supportive parents. At 12 years old, when she asked if she could paint the family’s 12-foot balsa surfboard into a totem pole, her father promptly took her for supplies.

At 16, she took her only painting class at the local college.

“The big takeaway from painting cliffs and ocean in watercolors was to stop when it’s done,” she says, “otherwise it ends up looking like mud from overwork.”

Another important lesson was learning to have a light touch, which also helped decades later when she began working with acrylics.

Despite her love of art, Bloom pursued a degree in cultural anthropology. Interested in Native cultures, she eagerly accepted several invitations to visit Juneau, Alaska during college.

“It always rained,” she laughs. “I wondered why anyone would live there.”

With degree in hand, she made another trip to Juneau, but this time she experienced what Alaskans call “a Sucker hole” — days of sunshine that lure people to stay.

Buoyed by the weather, she inquired about volunteering at the Alaska State Museum.

Instead, they offered her a job.

“I’m a beach girl that went wrong a long time ago,” she quips, noting she never knew wool socks existed before moving.

Always politically active, Bloom eventually wandered over to the Capitol building, landing a position as a Legislative aide. Still, she kept painting.

“My time in Alaska made me capable in ways that I never would have imagined had I stayed in the Lower 48,” she says.

“It gave me the freedom to paint big because the vistas there are just that — big, bold, and extreme.”

Life was a kaleidoscope that kept turning. She spent 10 years in Juneau, then 30 more in Anchorage. There was marriage, two sons, and divorce as well as political cycles that meant unemployment and new jobs with elected officials and some nonprofits. Throughout, she kept giving her artwork away as gifts.

As another layoff loomed, a friend suggested she should

have an art show and consider painting as her full-time job.

“That was eight years ago,” she says. “I sold nine paintings in three hours.”

Soon she had requests for private showings and commissions across the country.

An upcoming show in Washington, D.C., brought a strange request.

“When I arrived, a friend told me I needed to paint a big bear since I was from Alaska,” she recalls. “I told them I only painted trees, landscapes, and nudes.”

Eventually she consented, buying a canvas so large (4-by-5 feet) that she had to paint it in the host’s backyard. A magnificent polar bear emerged — her first animal painting and done in acrylics.

Deborah Bonito, wife of then-U.S. Senator Mark Begich of Alaska, fell in love with the painting and purchased it for their Capitol Hill brownstone.

“We put him front and center in the living room,” Bonito says. “Now he occupies the basement apartment where it’s cooler and keeps watch in between our visits.”

More requests poured in. A ranch in Southern California wanted a painting of their Texas Longhorn. A couple from Idaho wanted a black bear with a fish in its mouth.

Calls came for alpacas, chickens, and horses. Saying “yes” stretched Bloom as an artist.

Dog portraits opened the floodgates.

“They take a couple of weeks,” she admits, “and it’s a little nerve-racking.”

Working from numerous photographs, she tries to find the details that make each pet distinct. That first portrait was especially intimidating. When the owner burst into tears, Bloom assumed she had missed the mark, only to discover the woman was overcome with gratitude.

She’s painted every breed imaginable since. One couple even commissioned Bloom to paint their beloved “Sir Charles,” an English Bulldog, so they could carry his portrait to their outof-state wedding.

Now settled in South Carolina, with a studio on Trent Jones Lane, thanks to the urging of a childhood friend, Bloom is expanding every facet of her business from landscapes and wildlife paintings to classes and pet portraits, as well as other commissioned paintings.

“It’s always a surprise when someone comes through the door,” she exclaims, ever optimistic about the next challenge to come.

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MO

NTHLY’S

IICUTEST PETSII

CUTEST PET contest

DOG | CAT | OTHER

2021 CUTEST CAT: MAC

Blue-eyed Mac is a 13-year-old Siamese cat from a Savannah-based rescue group. When he was 3 years old, he was rushed to the hospital with congestive heart failure and his lungs were full of fluid. With the help of five medications — and love from his owner April Van Name — he pulled through. Mac is affectionate and works for treats. He finds one of his toys and returns it for a reward; then goes off to find another!

Photo by Lloyd Wainscott

* We wish we could have printed all of our entries, but with more than 300 submissions, space was limited. We hope you enjoy our random selection.

When possible, pets have been identified.

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MOCHI GOME

BELLA

ATTICUS FINCH

RADAR

ESTHER

STINKY

RYLEE

PICKLES

VANELLOPE

WILEY

PRETZEL

APRICOT

MAMIE

MURPHY

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CUTEST PET contest

DOG | CAT | OTHER

2021 CUTEST DOG: MISS BO PEEP

Miss Bo Peep is an 11-month-old Sheepadoodle. She is loving, goofy, always happy and enjoys herding her dachshund brothers. Her favorite activities include boating, playing with other dogs (especially her bestie, Ringo) and cruising around listening to 70s music with her owner Donna Chapman.

Photo by Lloyd Wainscott

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SPYRO

MOLLY

BELLA & BARLEY

MADDIE

DAKOTA

SKYE & LILLIE

PEARL JAM

RYLEE

MURPHY

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IICUTEST PETSII

CUTEST PET contest

DOG | CAT | OTHER

2021 CUTEST GUINEA PIG: MOCHI

Mochi is a 6-month-old American Guinea Pig. She loves to play hide ‘n’ seek with her owner Toni Stark and her little sister Waffles. On most nights you can catch her having many “snaccidents” that involve Timothy Hay and strawberries. Mochi loves a good cuddle, laying in your lap while being pet or making her way up to your shoulder to get cozy by your neck.

Photo by Lloyd Wainscott

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TIDE

REMI

HONEY

CLIFF

BURT

DOLLY

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SAHARA AND SAMSON

GRACE AND LOLA

CALLIE

LILLY

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MILANIA

MAYA

ZIGGY

OLIVER AND STELLA

ROCKY

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LUKE

HARPER

JENNAY AND SALLY

HILTON HEAD & Bluffton MONTHLY

PING

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COMING THIS OCTOBER

THE LEADING MEN OF THE LOWCOUNTRY 50 // H I LT O N H E A D M O N T H LY. C O M

REMI

ANDI BARKER

HOPE NOODLE

TOODLES

LILY

FRANKIE

MERLIN

FAIRWAY FIVE

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level of local real estate. Fellow agents, home professionals, property For Realtors® working in the majestic Lowcountry, one of the management firms, even agents who he’s technically competing biggest challenges can be standing out from the competition. With with; Hunt’s door is always open. hundreds of different professionals working in the industry, there’s ® “For someone who is as busy as he is, he’ll always stop to help no shortage of Realtors who all claim to be number one. someone else,” said Moskowitz. “If you were to ask other Realtors® For Jeff Hunt, standing out has never been a problem. who they would want to work with, that’s “Jeff is in a realm of his own,” Jeff.” said Daniel Moskowitz, Broker-inUltimately, it’s all done in service to his Charge at Dunes Real Estate. “There clients.

Each of these connections create are very few Number Ones who HE JUST DOESN’T a network, and that network creates a truly give back and engage with the SETTLE, IF A CLIENT Realtor® who is ideally equipped to navigate market like he does.”

WANTS SOMETHING, JEFF the island’s real estate market. As interest in One example of his capacity for RECOGNIZES HIS JOB relocating to Hilton Head soars and available giving comes every Christmas, when AND HIS DUTY TO THAT inventory drops to record level, Hunt has Hunt collects donations from his CLIENT. AND HE’S GOING shown remarkable skill in rooting out the network of extraordinarily generous TO LEVERAGE ALL THOSE ideal properties for any client. friends, clients and Dunes co-workers RELATIONSHIPS HE’S “He just doesn’t settle,” said to purchase new bicycles for children CULTIVATED OVER TIME TO Moskowitz. “If a client wants something, in need. Through his donation of FIND EXACTLY WHAT HIS Jeff recognizes his job and his duty to that both time and money, he was able CLIENT WANTS. to donate 200 bikes and helmets client. And he’s going to leverage all those last year to Deep Well and the Boys relationships he’s cultivated over time to DANIEL MOSKOWITZ Broker-in-Charge at Dunes Real Estate. & Girls Club of Bluffton. That is 200 find exactly what his client wants.”

Christmas mornings made that much Because to truly succeed in local real brighter by Hunt’s kindness. estate, as Hunt has for more than 35 years, But what sets Jeff Hunt apart isn’t you have to be willing to do a little bit more. just his generosity. It’s his unique ability to work alongside other In service to a client, that can mean pounding the pavement and professionals to benefit his clients. networking to find the perfect property. In service to his industry, To quote one of many glowing reviews on Zillow, “He has the that can mean helping out a fellow professional. In service to his clients and the connections with other Realtors® in Hilton Head to community, it can mean making Christmas morning a little bit move property… He really is very good at his job.” brighter for a child in need.

Those connections are ones that Hunt has formed at nearly every But that’s what sets Jeff Hunt apart.

Dunes Real Estate 6 Queens Folly Rd., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 843.422.5933 jeff@jeffhuntandassociates.com

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Phil Schembra With Gratitude…Thanks to the trust and confidence from clients, both past and present in Palmetto Dunes, Shelter Cove and Leamington, I have been recognized as the #1 REALTOR® in the State of South Carolina for individual sales volume by the 2021 REALTRENDS America’s Best ranking report (based on 2020 sales).

I am humbled by this recognition and grateful for the referrals and community support that allowed me to attain this distinction. The extraordinary faith that homeowners and prospective new residents place in me allows me to do what I love to do best; helping people achieve their dreams of owning in our community.

For the past 45 years in real estate on Hilton Head Island and in ventures across the country, I have always endeavored to be a positive force for our community. As a boutique company with a diversity of offerings beyond real estate, I’ve always believed that when you can help pursue a better life for others through your deeds, good days have a way of finding you.

It is an honor to put my knowledge and expertise in to work our community and help others discover the unparalleled quality of life we enjoy here on Hilton Head Island.

The Plaza at Shelter Cove, 50P Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29928 800.845.9506 | 843.785.2452 phil@schembrarealestate.com | schembrarealestategroup.com A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 // 55

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Richard MacDonald & Associates CHARTER ONE REALTY

Long time realtor Richard MacDonald and Joey Doyle have enjoyed another very successful year together.

Richard’s wealth of knowledge and Joey’s natural people skills have helped create the perfect team.

Richard is a dedicated professional with over 41 years of real estate experience here on Hilton Head Island and Bluffton. Richard and his wife Janet are true South Carolina Natives and raised all three sons here. Their family continues to grow with two grandchildren as well. Richard and Janet are members of the Hilton Head Presbyterian Church where Richard serves as an Elder and Janet serves on the Women’s Ministry team.

Joey has just finished five full years in real estate with Charter One Realty and Richard MacDonald & Associates.

Joey has proven that she is dedicated to serving clients with the utmost professionalism and personalized customer service and continues her success at Charter One Realty.

Joey is originally from Oklahoma but has called the Lowcountry home for over 17 years. Joey and her husband Chad live in Bluffton, which is also where her husband works. Real estate is a family affair for the Doyle’s and her husband Chad has been a real estate agent for 20 years which has helped Joey continue to grow her business year after year. When not in the office you can find her chasing around two very busy kids, Reagan and Tucker and enjoying all things Lowcountry.

If you have any interest in buying or selling, please don’t hesitate to give Richard or Joey a call.

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I AM BLESSED TO HAVE SO MANY WONDERFUL PROPERTY OWNERS AND PAST CLIENTS WHICH ENABLE ME TO BEGIN MY 41ST YEAR, LISTING AND SELLING PROPERTY HERE IN THE LOWCOUNTRY. – RICHARD MACDONALD

Richard MacDonald Richard@RMacDonald.com | 843.384.8797 • Joey Doyle JoeyDoyle@CharterOneRealty.com | 843.290.5055 www.RMacDonald.com A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 // 61

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I I H E A LT H I I

SENIOR LIVING TIPS

TO ENSURE YOU’RE LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE IN YOUR GOLDEN YEARS

THE NEXT CHAPTER

By Barry Kaufman

The idea of senior care has evolved in the last few decades, encompassing a wealth of options as diverse as the seniors who live them. Opportunities abound, whether that means continuing to live in your own home or taking advantage of more specialized care to suit your particular medical needs.

Options include assisted and independent living options that truly make your golden years shine.

For seniors, these options mean a chance to enjoy the best years of their lives to the fullest. But for those who have to choose from among these options, the questions can be legion. Which option is best for your parent?

What should you look for in care options? What considerations should be made for budget and lifestyle?

The answers will ultimately come down to your particular circumstances, but here we outline some of the ins and outs of each level of care.

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I I H E A LT H I I 1 IN-HOME CARE One of the biggest hurdles seniors

face as they begin eyeing the next chapter in their lives is the perceived lack of independence. After all, they’ve spent decades building up the life around them, including the place they’ve called home, and that can be difficult to give up.

For seniors who only need the occasional assistance, they don’t have to.

“Primary goal for us is to help folks who want to stay in their home remain independent as long as possible,” said Bob Risk, co-owner of Synergy Home Care.

In-home care allows seniors to maintain both their independence and their home, supplying help when needed at a moment’s notice. And according to Risk, that rapid response to issues is paramount when choosing a provider.

“Responsiveness is important. You want to know who’s in the office and who can respond after hours and on weekends,” he said. “The ultimate acid test is being able to adjust, be flexible and make sure help can arrive at a moment’s notice.”

In-home care costs about $54,912 annually nationwide, according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey.

INDEPENDENT LIVING The next step up would be independent living, where seniors enjoy their own space and their own lifestyle, but within the framework of a facility where care is available on demand.

“Independent living is pretty similar to picking an apartment, really,” said Misty Phillips, sales and marketing manager for Navion Senior Solutions, a firm which manages independent living facility Island Cove as well as assisted living facility Village Cove and memory care facility Harbor Cove on Hilton Head. “The key is really to promote engagement and socialization in a community setting.”

Under South Carolina licensure laws, independent living facilities aren’t allowed to provide medical support —they legally can’t even take blood pressure unless ordered by a doctor, Phillips said. Considerations for independent living come down to the individual’s lifestyle.

Besides the more independent lifestyle it fosters, this level of care has different financial considerations as well.

According to seniorhomes.com, the average cost of independent living in South Carolina is $2,180 per month, while the average cost for assisted living is $3,988. The key difference

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being, independent living communities will typically ask for a lump sum up front, a percentage of which will go back to heirs.

Independent living facilities often offer prepared meals, transportation, social activities, and housekeeping, said A Place for Mom, an assisted living referral service.

ASSISTED LIVING As independent living facilities are legally unable to provide medical care, assisted living facilities are better suited to those who might need assistance at a moment’s notice.

“When you see your loved one needs 24-hour care, in assisted living we can provide that,” said Phillips.

While there are several amenities that will set assisted living communities apart, from dining options to off-campus recreational opportunities and social clubs, the most important thing you can do is to visit the facility and engage with the caregivers.

Culture is everything at an assisted living facility.

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I I H E A LT H I I “It still requires knowing the person and their likes and dislikes,” said Phillips. “We call that discovery. Who were they before this part of their journey? What is their life story?”

There are important things to look for when choosing the best facility. At the top of the list is cleanliness.

“Does the community feel fresh and clean?” A Place for Mom notes. “Make sure to look past the furnishings and into corners, baseboards and windows.”

AARP suggests also checking for rooms and bathrooms with handrails and call buttons; safety locks on doors and windows; well-lit stairs and hallways with well-marked exits; and large enough rooms for your family member’s needs.

Be aware of the staff’s friendliness. Their attitude toward each other and the residents can give you a good idea of how they interact daily.

Does the staff listen and make eye contact? How many people are involved in the residents’ care?

“It is important that you have confidence in the property’s staff,” the website said.

Make sure to visit the facility during an activity. This will also help you judge how the staff interacts with the residents and if the activities offered are fun and engaging.

“Take a look at the community calendar of events. Do

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they match your or your loved one’s interests?” A Place for Mom said.

4 MEMORY CARE Memory care facilities are typically for

those who may harm themselves or pose a flight risk, with security and alarm systems keeping them safe 24 hours a day.

For Phillips, whose grandmother passed away in a state facility following a bout with Alzheimer’s, it’s vital that each patient lives their best life in memory care.

“I want to make sure they’re there for the right reasons and they’re receiving the right treatment,” she said.

And those whose loved ones might need that extra care should ensure they’re receiving the same.

Questions to consider when choosing a facility include how many meals are offered each day? Is assistance available to help your loved one with meals? Are there memory-enhancement programs?

Find out exactly how many physicians, RNs and LPNs are on staff at any given time, as well as what specialized services are available, from X-rays to physical therapy.

AARP said on average, memory care ranges from $5,000 to $8,000 a month.

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PLANTS PET FRIENDLY

BY NICOLE SCHULTZ

TRY THESE PLANTS

Since the start of the pandemic, gardening has become a popular hobby. Studies have shown that incorporating plants around your home can reduce stress and anxiety, improve your mood and boost productivity. If you’re a pet owner, it’s good to know which plants are safe for your pets to be around and which ones to avoid.

ARECA PALM Also known as a Butterfly Palm, the Areca

Palm is a great indoor plant if you’re looking for something with more volume. It’s easy to care for and can reach a mature height of six to seven feet.

Plus, Areca Palms are known to be one of the best indoor air purifying plants.

BASIL While most herbs are toxic to dogs and cats, basil is an exception when consumed in small quantities.

Basil is anti-inflammatory and contains a high level of antioxidants that can help prevent many types of illnesses, including cancer. If you have an anxious pet, or one who suffers from arthritis, basil may also help them.

BOSTON FERNS If you have a cat or dog who might be

tempted to chew or play with your houseplants, the

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Boston Fern might be the answer. These fun and puffy house plants are popular in homes because unlike other ferns, they are easy to maintain and non-toxic.

SPIDER PLANT Also known as an Airplane Plant, the Spider Plant can make a great addition to a home with pets. This plant’s ribbon-like leaves are safe for your pets to play with, plus they have a fun and retro look.

VENUS FLY TRAP While this plant may look ominous, it’s completely safe to have around your cat or dog.

Venus Fly Traps do not secrete any kind of poisonous material, so they’re safe to touch. A Venus Fly Trap is known to ingest small insects that make their way to the “mouth” of the plant, but it will never harm a human or pet.

AVOID THESE PLANTS ALOE Having fresh aloe at home can be helpful after getting too much sun at the beach. Unfortunately, aloe plants can be toxic if ingested by your cat or dog. While the level of toxicity is mild to moderate, ingesting aloe plants can cause your pet to experience vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, depression, anorexia, tremors or a change in urine color.

AZALEAS Azalea plants are considered poisonous and can affect your pets’ skeletal and cardiac muscles when ingested. If your pet eats part of an Azalea, you may notice signs of gastrointestinal or cardiovascular stress. Sometimes a pet’s central nervous system can also be affected, including tremors, seizures and comas.

CHRYSANTHEMUM Chrysanthemums, better known as mums, are the beautiful and brightly colored flowers you might see pop up on porches in the Fall. When ingested, these can be harmful to your pet. Ingesting the flower could result in vomiting, diarrhea, hyper-salivation, incoordination, and skin inflammation. While mums are usually not deadly, you should contact your veterinarian if you find your pet has ingested one.

PEACE LILY The Peace Lily is a beautiful evergreen plant, especially when producing creamy white spathes, which are like flowers. Unfortunately, every part of the plant contains an irritating toxin that can be dangerous to your pets and even humans. While the Peace Lily is not technically poisonous, it does contain a compound that can cause an inflammatory reaction in your pet. If ingested, you may see your pet vomit or exhibit excessive drooling. In severe cases, your pet may appear to have trouble breathing due to an inflammation of the airway.

SAGO PALM The Sago Palm is an indoor or outdoor

palm that is extremely poisonous to pets. While all parts of the plant are poisonous, the Sago Palm seeds, or nuts, are the most toxic. If ingested, it may cause gastrointestinal upset, affect the nervous system or damage the liver of your pet.

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DECORATING

YOUR DORM

BY JESSICA FARTHING

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TRENDS THAT HELP PERSONALIZE THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

Dorm rooms have improved from the cramped, smelly versions of the past. Students want their rooms to suit their personal style.

College is a major step. A well-thought-out dorm environment is helpful as students move into a different life stage.

Here are some decorating options that are trending.

FOCUS ON LIGHTING Dorm lighting is usually terrible,

dimmer than a student needs for studying. Studies have found that good lighting not only increases focus and concentration but helps regulate melatonin and cortisol for a good night’s sleep.

Correct lighting also helps regulates mood. It’s essential to use lamps to bring the light down from the ceiling, but teens have been loving to add string lights for a little extra illumination. They are new and improved on Amazon, in colors or twinkling, operating from remotes and even syncing to music.

Neon lights are popular. New versions can be shaped into any word and are less expensive than the lights of the past. Wayfair offers options that are battery operated.

POST UP Students love to mash up collections of posters on their walls. Parents love that motivational posters are part of 2021’s dorm trends. Looking at a cheerful, uplifting saying is almost as good as mom being there cheering you on. Society 6 is a great website that sells original designs by artists and designers printed on posters, phone covers and even furniture. Remember the Command Strips to hang on the wall. Most dorms have rules about tacks or picture hangers and require something that doesn’t cause damage.

STORAGE SMARTS It’s a must to stay organized in a dorm room. The Container Store offers rolling carts with drawers, bedside storage caddies that tuck into the mattress and storage bins. One overlooked area is the dorm desk. You can add more space with a small shelf (options featured at dormco.com) that fits the desk’s dimensions.

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TECH ESSENTIALS Noise-cancelling headphones are a great alternative to help with focus or drown out a loud roommate. Personal speakers are fantastic for playing favorite music. Students recommend getting in touch with the school to find out the types of internet and cable available to prepare for the right setup for gaming and streaming. Don’t forget the surge protectors, extension cords and chargers. Bed risers can add room for storage under dorm beds and provide USB plug-ins and electrical outlets near the bed.

BRING NATURE INSIDE Houseplants are in vogue, so

adding a plant to a dorm room is a great option.

Succulents are small and easy to grow. For those who don’t want the responsibility, but appreciate the look, botanical prints are a popular choice.

DESIGN IN STYLE This year’s top styles vary.

Animal print is popular, especially mixed with bright colors. There are many options for a more bohemian look, with room tapestries, wall hangings and draped curtains. Students may choose to have a minimalist look with pops of color or just bring all the hues in one bright burst. They may even reflect their favorite hobby or their favorite sports team with pillows, posters, colors and fan gear.

Dormify, an online store specializing in dorm goods, offers virtual styling appointments for families that don’t live near their pop-up stores.

Roommates can virtually meet for their appointment or mom can come along for the ride.

FEEL LIKE HOME Each dorm room should be comfortable, usable and a reflection of the person who will live in it. When a student relaxes in their room, they can get a break from all the new events they are experiencing and focus on what they need. An item Bluffton resident Meg Engler, whose son attended Clemson, found necessary is the mattress topper. “That was key because the dorm mattresses are not super comfortable. Mason got a nice memory-foam topper that made a huge difference,” she said.

Engler has advice for parents.

“Definitely don’t stress. They have to make their own mistakes; it’s how they grow.”

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LOWCOUNTRY MARKET SIZZLES DURING THE SUMMER

BY MARK E. LETT

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The superheated market for Lowcountry home sales sizzled into summer, with no sign of significant slowing.

Scarce inventory, low interest rates and a pandemic-inspired trend to work from home are driving sales and pushing prices for homes on Hilton Head and Bluffton.“Those conditions have not dissipated,” said Jean Beck, chief executive of the 1,500-member Hilton Head Area Realtors.

A handful of numbers compiled by the association tells the story:

INVENTORY Compared with a year earlier, homes for sale in June in the overall market — covering Hilton Head, Bluffton and much of Beaufort and Jasper counties — declined nearly 66 percent, to 654 from 1,910. Bluffton inventory fell 76 percent, to 174, compared with 727. Available single-family homes (excluding condos and villas) in Hilton Head slipped 67.3 percent, to 150 from 459.

MEDIAN PRICES Demand in the overall market generated a 12.7 percent increase in median prices, to $400,000 from $355,000, compared with June 2020. Hilton Head median prices jumped 39.9 percent, to $850,000 from $607,500. Bluffton median prices increased 11.1 percent, to $356,555.

PRICES RECEIVED For the overall market, selling prices fetched 100.2 percent of asking prices. The percent of list price received was 99.8 percent in Hilton Head and 100.7 percent in Bluffton.

Real estate sales veterans said supply-and-demand forces are encouraging multiple offers and swift sales.

Charles Sampson, of the Charles Sampson Group of Charter One Realty, said the Hilton Head and Bluffton markets remain popular with out-of-state buyers seeking “a vacation atmosphere.”

Added Shaun McTernan, president of the Realtors association: “We live in a paradise.”

Sampson, a real estate professional since 1985 and a Hilton Head resident for nearly 50 years, said the area appeals to urban dwellers from around the nation who want to work from home, especially as they near retirement.

Potential buyers need to move quickly in today’s competitive sales market, he said. One Oregon couple talked by FaceTime with Sampson in the morning, reviewed available properties by computer during the day and made an offer by evening, Sampson said.

“You have to be ready. You have to be prepared,” he said.

Real estate professionals said current market conditions underscore the importance of three “Cs” — Cash, Closing and Contingencies.

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STRONG SALES

A look at some of the market’s biggest increases: +106.7%: Price range with the strongest sales ($650,001 and above) +54.3%: Bedroom count with strongest sales (Two bedrooms or less) +49.4%: Property type with strongest sales (Single family) CASH The ability to pay cash for a property provides a competitive advantage over buyers who must line up financing, adding potential delays and uncertainty to a deal.

CLOSING It’s a tight market. Sellers caught short with the surprisingly quick sale of their home, may seek to delay, rent or lease back their property while looking to relocate. Adding such an option to an offer can encourage agreement.

CONTINGENCIES To make an offer more appealing to sellers fielding multiple offers, buyers are urged to work with their agent to include creative sweeteners. Among those: going above the asking price; waiving an appraisal contingency; taking care to sweat the details to make an offer free of potential snags that can slow the deal.

Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, said the national home sales recovery that has followed last year’s pandemic lockdown will be “sustainable for many months ahead as long as mortgage rates remain low and job gains continue.”

Locally, Hilton Head’s Beck said “the economy we are seeing is likely through the balance of the year, with rates remaining low and buyer interest remaining high.”

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Note: Reflects July 2020 to June 2021.

Source: Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors

IIREAL ESTATE NEWSII

CASTERA

THOMASON

COLLINS GROUP REALTY

DRAKE

COLLINS GROUP REALTY NAMED TOP LARGE REAL ESTATE TEAM IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND LAUNCHES NEW CHARITABLE FUND AND PROJECT Collins Group Realty was named one of America’s most productive sales teams as a part of RealTrends + Tom Ferry America’s Best Real Estate Professionals, a ranking report produced by RealTrends and Tom Ferry International. The team is now a member of the “America’s Best Real Estate Agents” and ranked the No. 1 large team in South Carolina.

Collins Group Realty has launched its new charitable fund, Community Results Project, a fund of Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. It also launched its 2021 project, a partnership to help bolster the efforts of Deep Well’s Livable Housing Program. The Community Results Project will act as the new umbrella for the real estate company’s existing philanthropic activities, including the annual 200th Home Sale for Charity, Food Drives, Toy Drives, and two Community Vehicles. The efforts of the Community Results Project will include educating the community about the need to provide safe and livable housing to those who may not be able to afford minor and major home repairs without assistance.

CENTURY 21 WELCOMES 2 AGENTS Stephane Castera has joined Century 21 Diamond Realty. Castera, born and raised in the South of France, worked for 17 years for Four Seasons Hotel and Resort. He and his wife Emily and their daughter Chloe moved to Bluffton in 2018.

Kaylie Schmidt relocated to Hilton Head Island from Wisconsin. Her local real estate training will serve her clients well in their real estate searches.

COHEN

WEICHERT REALTORS AGENT APPEARS ON DIY NETWORK SHOW Sherry Thomason of Weichert Realtors appeared on an episode of DIY Network’s “Beachfront Bargain Hunt – Renovation.” The episode will re-air on the network on 2 p.m. Aug. 20, a news release said.

“Beachfront Bargain Hunt - Renovation” follows homebuyers as they search for affordable beachfront homes with plans of remodeling. Thomason was tasked with helping a couple from Charleston find a beach getaway on Hilton Head Island.

KELLER WILLIAMS AGENT EARNS HIGH HONOR Beth Drake of Keller Williams Realty was named one of America’s most productive sales associates as a part of REAL Trends + Tom Ferry America’s Best Real Estate Professionals, a ranking report produced by REAL Trends and Tom Ferry International. This is Drake’s fourth consecutive year being named to “America’s Best Real Estate Agents” for the state of South Carolina. REAL Trends America’s Best Real Estate Professionals’ agents represent the top 1.5% of 1.4 million real estate professionals in the United States.

WEICHERT REALTORS WINS PRESTIGIOUS MARKETING AWARDS Weichert Realtors won two marketing awards from Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, a community of the world’s top independent residential brokerages. The marketing team, led by Kelly Ryan, earned first place for its marketing video submission and third place for its Luxury Portfolio International marketing. Winners were selected by a panel of experts based on excellence in creativity, quality and overall presentation and effectiveness.

SCHMIDT

BECKER

COLLINS GROUP REALTY WELCOMES REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST Lori Cohen has joined Collins Group Realty as a real estate specialist in its Hilton Head office. A native western New Yorker, she moved to Hilton Head with her husband Howard (a Broker Associate with Collins Group Realty since 2010) and their family 12 years ago. She taught English in the Beaufort County School District before joining CGR in June.

WALKER REALTY PARTNERS WITH FIRST UNITED REALTY OF GEORGIA For the past seven years Walker Realty has partnered with First United Realty of Georgia to assist with REOs and tax liens, while appraising more than 4,500-5,000 pre-foreclosed broker price opinions yearly.

SCHEMBRA RANKED NO. 1 IN SOUTH CAROLINA Philip A. Schembra, owner and broker–in-charge of Schembra Real Estate Group, has been named as the top Realtor for individual sales volume in South Carolina and on Hilton Head Island by the 2021 Real Trends “America’s Best” rankings (based on 2020 sales).

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES HIRES AGENT Gretchen Becker has joined Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Bay Street Realty Group as an agent.

Becker will also be an on-site sales consultant at Hearthstone Lakes, selling new homes. She recently worked as an agent for the Beaufort Realty Consultants.

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FALL FUN! IIPARENTINGII

WHAT’S BEING OFFERED IN YOUTH SPORTS ACTIVITIES

BY JUSTIN JARRETT

The start of a new school year also means the start of a new sports season, and parents looking for an athletic outlet for young kids in the Lowcountry have a wealth of options.

Both the Beaufort County Parks and Recreation Department and the Island Recreation Center offer a wide range of youth sports programs. Other groups such as the First Tee of the Lowcountry and numerous private organizations give parents even more opportunities to get their children up and moving.

Parents can find a full slate of sports leagues and programs this fall.

Among them is the return of Hilton Head Gator football, which took the season off a year ago but is ready to launch its

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52nd season in August for players ages 6-12. The Gator program also offers an option for young cheerleaders.

“We’re back at it, and hopefully we can get some kids to participate,” said Bob Rozek, recreation and facilities director for the Island Recreation Center. “Our numbers are definitely coming back stronger, and all of our camps have had great participation this summer.”

Individual sports that are played outdoors, such as golf and tennis, gained popularity in the past year. Rozek said the Island Rec Center’s tennis program has picked up steam with local pro Royce Silvan leading a growing group of young players ranging from beginner to intermediate players looking to take on the

junior tournament circuit.

Another sport that continues to grow in popularity is lacrosse, and both the Island Rec Center and Beaufort County offer programs for players of all skill levels, including Island Rec’s “Scoops” lacrosse program.

Beaufort County is no longer offering tackle football — private programs such as the Lowcountry Lightning, Bluffton Bulldogs, Beaufort Wildcats and Extra Mile Club have filled that void — but the county has seen tremendous growth in its flag football program and is also offering clinics in Gaelic football.

“Flag football has been blowing up,” said Justin Petock, athletic supervisor for Beaufort County Parks and Recreation.

“We’ve been doing some fun things like a little ‘Pro Bowl’ type all-star game at the end of the season, and we’ll have up to 200 people out at the games.”

Soccer remains one of the most popular youth sports in the area.

Kids can get started in the county’s recreational soccer program as young as age 4, with more options available as they grow older.

“Just getting them into that team-sport mentality early is important,” Petock said. “Once they turn 5 and 6, that’s when they get the whole spectrum of sports opened up to them.”

While area all-star baseball and softball teams have been competing for state championships this summer, players who are looking for an introduction to the diamond or hoping to hone their skills in hopes of making next year’s all-star teams have the option of playing in fall developmental leagues.

The Hilton Head Baseball Association and Bluffton Youth Sports, in partnership with Beaufort County Parks and Recreation, offer non-competitive fall leagues that give inexperienced players a chance to learn the game and allow intermediate players to sharpen their skills.

The benefits of getting children started in sports early go beyond the obvious health factors and include learning how to win and lose with grace; learning discipline and respect for authority; developing persistence, dedication and patience; and developing self-esteem.

And, of course, socializing with their peers and building lasting friendships.

“I see some of these kids who met playing soccer when they were young, and 10 years out of high school they’re still good friends,” Rozek said, “and that’s important.”

That goes not only for the young athletes but also for their parents, especially those who have recently moved to the area.

“You’ll meet great people,” Rozek said. “There are a lot of great people out there, and sports just brings us all together.”

For more information, visit islandreccenter.org/fall-sports or beaufortcountysc.recdesk.com/Community/Program

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SEEING THE SOUND ARTIST ALEX GENTEMANN PAINTS THE COLORS OF MUSIC

BY BECCA EDWARDS | PHOTOS BY LLOYD WAINSCOTT

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Gentemann’s painting inspired by Handels Messiah, Hallelujah Chorus.

Photo Supplied

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SPECIFIC NOISES HAVE SPECIFIC COLORS. EVER SINCE I WAS A YOUNG CHILD, I THOUGHT THIS WAS SOMETHING EVERY PERSON COULD DO.

For Alex Gentemann, a Hilton Head native and recent graduate of the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, sound is not merely heard — it is also seen. And in an array of colors that correspond to the tonality of the sound.

“I see dark colors for the base notes, mid-range colors for the mid-tones, and for high notes like the sopranos, I practically see white,” Gentemann said.

Gentemann is among only 4 percent of the global population who has synesthesia — a neurological condition in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway (for example, hearing) leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway (such as vision).

It was not until recently that Gentemann realized his gift.

“Specific noises have specific colors. Ever since I was a young child, I thought this was something every person could do. But when I told my family, they said, ‘No, we don’t have that.’ I have what’s called chromatic synesthesia.”

It was also around this same time Gentemann learned about the Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities.

“I didn’t know the Governor’s School was a thing until a year before I signed up,” he said. “I heard about it briefly but wasn’t sure I wanted to do the boarding school thing.”

Nevertheless, Gentemann’s art teacher at Hilton Head High School encouraged him to apply and then “it just clicked that this is a good thing and I should do this.”

“One problem with regular school is no matter how wonderful and dedicated the teachers are, and my teachers were wonderful and dedicated, only a few other people care about what you’re doing as much as you do, which can make you sad or not feel challenged,” said Gentemann. “At the Governor’s School I was able to have intelligent conversations about art. I was motivated to explore art and it pushed me to expand my horizons and perfect my craft.”

Gentemann explained the friendly competition he experienced at the Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities.

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Gentemann’s painting inspired by the 1812 Overture 3rd movement Photo Supplied

“It was a very formative preprofessional experience and absolutely the best way I could’ve spent my last two years of high school,” he said. “It was fully immersive. During my junior year, sometimes I would be in the studio eight hours a day every day.”

Gentemann’s hard work earned him awards from the Scholastic Art Awards 2021 Southeast Region-At-Large competition and 31st Annual Upstate High School Art Exhibition at Greenville Technical College. A painting of his has become a part of the Governor’s School’s permanent collection.

His senior thesis also enabled him to embrace his synesthesia and establish a new artistic process.

“I like to have a battle plan before I begin my art, but I broke away from that with my synesthesia art,” said Gentemann, who would listen to orchestral music like Handel’s “Messiah” and Beethoven’s “5th Symphony, 1st Movement” and open his sketchbook.

“I would play a particular piece on loop, get fully immersed in the music and map out the basic composition in a linear fashion with the ups and downs of notes. I would let myself be spontaneous.

Next, I would use crayons and start mapping out the colors I saw, making a childish scroll that then I could translate to a more coherent expression on the canvas.”

Before transitioning from sketchbook to canvas, Gentemann pre-mixes his colors because “trying to mix colors as you put it on the canvas is very hectic. I don’t recommend it unless you like to torture yourself.”

In the fall, Gentemann will attend the Savannah College of Art and Design to study animation and painting. He has already been commissioned to do some pieces.

His work is on Instagram at agentemann_art. He encourages aspiring young artists to pursue their passion and “enjoy the validation of people enjoying your artwork.”

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HIGHER EDUCATION

HANDBOOK A PRIMER ON COLLEGE PREP OPTIONS

BY JAMES A. MALLORY

Hilton Head and Bluffton parents have options when looking for academic programs that prepare their children for college.

For those looking to heighten chances of getting into a highly selective college, there is an International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Hilton Head High.

Students seeking college-level credit while in high school can take Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams available through Beaufort County public and private schools. There are also dual-enrollment programs through the University of South Carolina Beaufort and the Technical College of the Lowcountry.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)

Hilton Head Island High offers the IB curriculum in elementary, middle and high school. The diploma program is available in 11th and 12th grade for students age 16-19.

IB is a worldwide program designed to offer challenging

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programs of international education and rigorous assessment, according to its website.

“IB will prepare you to do anything and go anywhere,” said Ingrid Boatright, Beaufort County school board member representing District 11. “It is comprehensive, multi-cultural and has international standards.”

More than 175 students are taking IB courses in 2021, said Candace Bruder, Director of Communications for Beaufort County School District, in an email response. Between 25 and 30 of these students will go for the full diploma, she said.

The county is working with Hilton Head High to let students outside its attendance zone apply for the IB Middle Years Program, she said. Students would then feed into the IB Diploma Program. Hilton Head High is also allowing up to five out-ofzone rising ninth graders to apply for IB. The students must commit to entering the diploma program, Bruder said.

IB Program Coordinator Mary Beth White said via email that 93 percent (25 out of 27 students) of the IB Diploma Candidates who completed all components earned their International Baccalaureate Diplomas. The IB published average is 88.96, she said.

“And they did this with most of their IB studies occurring during the pandemic,” she said.

Two of Boatright’s children graduated from the Hilton Head High IB program. One is now a senior at the University of California-Berkeley. The other is a rising junior at Northwestern University. A third child is starting high school and will be in the IB program.

“The most important and overlooked aspect of IB is college persistence,” she said. “IB prepares students for a rigorous course of study by teaching critical thinking, time management and independent learning. It also has an emphasis on writing, particularly with the extended essay requirement for diploma candidates. Helping students get into their first-choice college is great but preparing them to be successful within those colleges and programs is the added advantage of the IB program.”

DUAL ENROLLMENT

College-bound students have been encouraged for years to begin their path toward higher education via Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment, said W. Mack Palmour, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at University of South Carolina Beaufort, in an email response.

With dual enrollment, high school students can take college classes while they are still enrolled in high school. They earn college credits, which could reduce the cost of a college education.

“Having this coursework can make them potentially more competitive for college admission, scholarships, as well as help them to understand the rigor that is required at the college level,” he said.

USCB has over 250 dual enrollment applicants for Fall 2021, a 60 percent increase over last year, Palmour said.

“Students are able to earn college credit and start their collegiate GPA in their junior and senior years of high school to eventually lower the cost of a college degree,” said Kristen VanNoord, assistant director of admissions at USCB, in an email response to questions.

Courses are offered on all three Beaufort County campuses.

Classes include English, public speaking, history, math and world languages, she said.

Dual-enrollment students at USCB can take classes at any of its campuses, and can take online classes.

Technical College of the Lowcountry’s dual enrollment for 2019-2020 (last full academic year) was 518 students, including 394 from Beaufort County.

The school said it offers more than 80 individual college courses that transfer to four-year colleges and universities in and out of South Carolina. TCL’s career and technical dualenrollment offerings have expanded to include courses in construction, HVAC, culinary arts, business and others.

Most students take classes at the TCL campuses or online.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Advanced Placement gives students the chance to take college-level courses and exams while they’re still in high school. Students can earn college credit and they may stand out in the admissions process.

AP can give students an advantage when applying to college and when they arrive. Nine hundred and twelve Beaufort County students took AP college-level courses and exams in 2020, according to Bruder.

“This is a great way for students to arrive at their postsecondary institution with credits already under their belts,” said Mary Stratos, the school district’s Chief Instructional Services Officer, in an email response.

Advantages of taking AP classes, according to the College Board, include: • Having time to move into upper-level courses in the student’s field of interest, pursue a double major or study abroad.

• Showing a willingness to take the most rigorous courses available.

• Helping improve writing skills and sharpens problemsolving techniques.

• Receiving recognition from more than 3,600 colleges and universities that annually receive AP Exam scores.

• Over 90% of four-year colleges in the U.S. provide credit and/or advanced placement for qualifying exam scores.

The College Board also said AP students had better fouryear graduation rates than those who did not take AP courses.

For example, students who take AP English Literature in high school are 62% more likely to graduate from college in four years. The College Board notes 85 percent of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admissions decisions.

CAMBRIDGE ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION (AICE)

This fall the Cambridge AICE diploma, another international curriculum and exam system, will be introduced at May River High School, Robert Smalls International Academy and Battery Creek High School, Bruder said.

Beaufort High School is starting its second year in the program, which offers college-level classes. It is designed to offer a more rigorous curriculum. Students can frame the coursework to their specific interests and ability.

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“Briefs ” 2. CROSS SCHOOLS HIRES TWO STAFF MEMBERS

1. SCHOOL DISTRICT NAMES NEW PRINCIPALS

The Beaufort County School District has new principals for the 2021-22 school year.

Hilton Head Island Middle School welcomes Tanja Wheeler, Ed.D., an educator with international school principal experience. She replaces Patricia Freda, who retired after more than 35 years in education. Wheeler has more than 30 years of educational experience, beginning her career as a family and consumer science teacher in Hamilton, Ohio. She went on to serve as principal at Nacel International School Systems and Future International School. Wheeler holds a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Management from Capella University.

Ryan Milling takes the helm at H.E. McCracken Middle School. He was an assistant principal at H.E. McCracken Middle School since 2020 and replaces Lindsey Skirtich, who left the district for a position in the private sector. Milling began his educational career as a school counselor and held positions in Darlington, Fort Mill, and Florence School District Three before joining BCSD in 2020. He holds master’s degrees in Educational Leadership and Counseling and Development, both from Winthrop University.

Melissa Holland is the new principal at M.C. Riley Elementary School. Holland had been principal of Beaufort Elementary since 2015. She replaces Adrienne Sutton, a 30-year district veteran who retired after serving as principal of M.C. Riley Elementary School for over a decade and prior to that, principal of Hilton Head Island Early Childhood Center. Holland’s 20-plusyear career at BCSD began as a teacher at Hilton Head Island Elementary School. She has held assistant principal positions at Bluffton, Lady’s Island and Beaufort elementary schools. She holds master’s degrees in Early Childhood Education and Educational Administration, both from the University of South Carolina.

WHEELER

MILLING

3. HILTON HEAD CHRISTIAN OFFERS THEATER CAMP

HOLLAND

BROWN

JOHNSON

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Kate Brown and DeLeon Johnson have joined the staff of Cross Schools in Bluffton. Brown will serve as director of admissions, which includes meeting with prospective families, giving tours of Cross Schools and supporting marketing initiatives. Brown earned her bachelor of arts degree from Davidson College in North Carolina, where she studied French and theater. Following her graduation, she taught English in Cambodia with the Peace Corps.

Johnson is the athletic director and head basketball coach. Johnson has worked as a coach for the past 10 years at the collegiate, high school, and middle school levels. He previously was a behavior management specialist at H.E. McCracken Middle School in Bluffton, in addition to his coaching duties at several levels with local sports programs.

Hilton Head Christian Academy Lower School students can participate in the third annual Lower School theater camp production of Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS! The camp will meet after school on Mondays (3 p.m.-4:45 p.m.) and Fridays (12:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m.) beginning Aug. 20 and through the production on Oct. 2.

Registration deadline is Thursday, Aug. 19.

Limited to 60 students. For more information, email mmcelroy@hhca.org or jkrimm@hhca.org.

4. HERITAGE ACADEMY KICKING OFF SPORTS SEASON

Heritage Academy is launching its new athletic program this fall. Liz Nash is the school’s new athletic director. The athletic program will initially have cross country and track, sailing, basketball, tennis, golf, swimming, and a Sports Performance Academy. Nash has more than 20 years of coaching experience.

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[EDUCATION GUIDE] learning for everyone

First Presbyterian Day School

Cross Schools

Address: 495 Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton Type: Independent Grades: Ages 12 months to 9th grade Head of School: Pete Laugen, M.Ed. Director of Admissions: Kate Brown Phone: 843-706-2000 Website: crossschools.org Student Population: 640 About the School: Established in 1998, Cross Schools provides a Christian-based education for children ages 12 months through 9th grade. Cross Schools helps students develop a passion for learning through small classes, rigorous academics, various enrichment courses, and faith-based learning. Students attend weekly chapel, participate in community service projects, and can join various clubs.

Its athletic program — which includes cross-country, basketball, golf, soccer, volleyball, sporting clays, softball, football, and baseball — encourages teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness. The guiding principles of the Cross Schools community are academic excellence, Christian values, and community service.

What’s New: The 2021-2022 school year will welcome the addition of Phase VI: The High School Auxiliary Building that will house performing arts, visual arts, and a workout center for athletes and students. The 2021-2022 school year also brings a new athletic director, DeLeon Johnson and a new football coach, Cleophus Lane.

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Address: 540 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island Type: Preschool Grades: Ages 2-5 Head of School: Amy Dungan Director of Admissions: Amy Dungan Phone: 843-681-3695 Website: fpdshhi.org or facebook.com/FirstPresbyterianDaySchool Student Population: 58 children capacity About the School: The First Presbyterian Day School was established in 1984 and serves working parents. It is open yearround from 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with the school year beginning each August. Tuition includes two healthy snacks and a nutritional, well-balanced lunch each day. The Day School is licensed by the South Carolina Department of Social Services and holds an A+ ABC Quality rating through South Carolina’s statewide quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) for early care and education providers.

Applications are being accepted for the 2021-2022 school year.

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Heritage Academy

Address: 11 New Orleans Road, Hilton Head Island Type: Private Grades: 6th-12th grade Head of School: Amanda Williams O’Nan Director of Admissions: Sandy McGuire Phone: 843-842-8600 Website: heritageacademy.org About the School: Heritage Academy, a private coeducational school for grades 6-12 on Hilton Head Island, is fully accredited

by SCISA and COGNIA. Heritage Academy has students from all over the globe who enroll to take advantage of the school’s unique academic program and philosophy. Heritage Academy is also a member of the National Association of Independent Schools. Their students are actively engaged in learning as accomplished scholars, artists, and athletes whether in the classroom or pursuing extracurricular activities. The curriculum is designed for students seeking a U.S. college preparatory diploma. The academic expectations and level of instruction at Heritage Academy exceed SCISA/COGNIA guidelines, university admissions criteria and NCAA Eligibility Center standards.

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Hilton Head Christian Academy

Address: 3088 Bluffton Parkway, Bluffton, SC 29910 Type: Private Grades: Kindergarten-12th grade Head of School: Doug Langhals Director of Admissions: Dona Wood Phone: 843-681-2878 Student Population: 450 About the School: HHCA is an accredited non-denominational Christian school that boasts strength in academics, athletics and the arts. HHCA offers honors and AP courses, an award-winning fine arts program and over 30 sports teams with opportunities for students to excel — all within a Christ-centered learning environment. HHCA is proud of its 100% matriculation rate among seniors, 90% of whom earn merit-based scholarships and attend schools such as Duke, West Point, Georgetown, and the U.S. Naval Academy. Every year, HHCA graduates begin the next chapter of their journey equipped to use their God-given talents to impact the world.

What’s New: HHCA relocated to its new state-of-the-art Bluffton campus in January 2021, positioning it among the top 1% of schools worldwide, designed from the ground up to deliver a truly innovative learning environment. This exceptional 27-acre campus includes open-concept learning commons, outdoor learning porches, an indoor/outdoor cafe, collaboration rooms, and active critique areas for one-on-one instruction and mentoring — and is powered

by HHCA’s faculty who have undergone four years of extensive training by the world leader in experiential learning education.

Hilton Head Preparatory School

Address: 8 Fox Grape Road, Hilton Head Island Type: Private Grades: Junior Kindergarten-12th grade Headmaster: Jon Hopman Director of Admissions: Sarah DeMaria Phone: 843-671-2286 Student Population: 420 About the School: Hilton Head Prep is an accredited independent school with exemplary faculty who strive to create students of character, integrity and responsibility in a safe and welcoming environment. With class sizes among the smallest in the area, Hilton Head Prep uses an innovative college preparatory curriculum that includes courses in liberal arts, science, technology and ethics, as well as rigorous Advanced Placement and honors courses. The school is continually ranked among the top K-12 independent schools locally, regionally and nationally, and 100% of Hilton Head Prep graduates are accepted to college. Hilton Head Prep also offers numerous opportunities for participation in athletics, the arts, afterschool clubs and community service.

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John Paul II Catholic School

Address: 4211 N. Okatie Highway, Ridgeland Type: Catholic Grades: 7th-12th grades Principal: John McCarthy Phone: 843-645-3838 Student Population: 250 Website: johnpaul2school.org About the School: John Paul II Catholic School offers students of all faiths an exceptional education in a safe and secure Christcentered environment. Students are well prepared to succeed in college through their rigorous Honors, Advanced Placement and PreAP programs. Beyond the classroom, an extensive athletic program, clubs and activities, and a growing performing arts program offer students the opportunity to learn valuable teamwork and life skills.

Community service learning is embedded in their curriculum, allowing students to understand how their Christian faith calls them to be joyful servants to those less fortunate in their community. Their graduates are truly scholars with a soul.

Academic Growth: The curriculum at JPII is a demanding and diverse program providing learning opportunities for students of all abilities in accordance with their Catholic mission. JPII continues to expand its rigorous and quality coursework in a growing AP program

preparing students for postsecondary education. Along with providing 16 AP courses and the AP Capstone Diploma, JPII offers Pre-AP courses, enabling middle school students to earn high school credits, that deliver grade-level appropriate instruction through focused course frameworks, instructional resources, learning checkpoints, and collaborative educator workshops. PreAP courses offered include English, math, science, history, visual arts and theater.

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Lowcountry Day Christian Preschool & Camp

Address: 357 Red Cedar St. and 285 Red Cedar St., Bluffton Type: Private Grades: Ages 6 weeks to pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten to 3rd grade (camp, after school) Directors: Alana McBride and Lindsay Marshall Phone: 843-815-2271 or 843-815-2273 Website: lowcountryday.com Student Population: 400 About the School: Established in 1997, Lowcountry Day schools are privately owned, state-licensed Christian preschools. Lowcountry Day provides the world-renowned The Creative Curriculum for Preschool Program, welcoming families from all denominations and encouraging learning through the creative arts by providing a ballet and music room on campus. The schools’ mission is to provide a safe, nurturing environment and the highest quality care to meet the needs of every child.

What’s New: Lowcountry Day preschools, under new private ownership, implemented the world-renowned The Creative Curriculum for Preschool Program in January 2021. Soccer Shots of Savannah is on site at both schools weekly to provide new monthly sessions for ages 2 to 5.

May River Montessori

Address: 60 Calhoun Street, Bluffton Type: Private, Non-profit Montessori Grades: 24 months to Grade 8 Head of School: Michele Quigley Director of Admissions: Gail Daunt & Sarah Stone Phone: 843-757-2312 Website: mayrivermontessori.com Student Population: 200 About the School: May River Montessori has proudly served the children and families of the Lowcountry since 1987. Their mission is to nurture each child’s natural development; to inspire curiosity, creativity, and imagination and to foster academic excellence. They cultivate an environment rich with warmth, kindness and respect. The school is committed to the development of the whole child, enabling each to celebrate individual gifts and reach his or her greatest potential.

In addition to a rich academic learning environment, there is a strong emphasis on the arts and environmental and community stewardship through their unique whole-campus Organic Gardening Program.

What’s New: Beginning Fall 2021 it will welcome eighth-grade students to the campus. The unique Adolescent Program will center on a microeconomics experience. In addition to an individually customized daily academic and humanities curriculum, adolescents will operate their very own organic, agricultural/artisan-based business together in the heart of Old Towne. Through these rich and authentic experiences, the students will learn trade skills, financial planning and budgeting, human resource, and general management skills along with so much more.

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Sea Pines Montessori Academy

Address: 9 Fox Grape Road, Hilton Head Island Type: Nonprofit, private Grades: 12 months to 8th grade Headmaster: Susanna Myburgh Phone: 843-785-2534 Website: seapinesmontessori.com Student Population: 145 About the School: Mary Stone Fraser founded Sea Pines Montessori Academy in 1968 as a children’s house — the desks, windows, and tables were at eye level so that they were truly owned by the children.

Today, Sea Pines Montessori Academy includes 10 classrooms, a library, multipurpose room, a Suzuki piano and violin studio, an outdoor green space and other amenities. Sea Pines Montessori instills a love of learning, an emphasis on strong social and problem-solving skills, a positive work environment, and respect for the community. In addition to offering golf at The First Tee of the Lowcountry and Sea Pines Resort, tennis with Van Der Meer Academy, and a thriving athletics program, the school offers numerous activities and clubs for all ages.

What’s New: SPMA is excited to announce the appointment of Susanna Myburgh as its sixth Head of School. Myburgh recently joined SPMA from Morrison Academy, an international school in Taiwan, where she served as principal for the past six years. She holds a BS in Elementary Education with a Middle School Endorsement and a Masters in Educational Leadership. Myburgh looks forward to meeting the school and island community, growing their Montessori programs, and continuing with the development of the school’s master facilities plan.

St. Francis Catholic School

Address: 45 Beach City Road, Hilton Head Island Type: Catholic Grades: Pre-kindergarten-8th grade Headmaster: Brian Pope Phone: 843-681-6501 Website: sfcshhi.com Student Population: 215 About the School: St. Francis Catholic School’s mission is “to nurture students’ spiritual and intellectual growth in an authentically Catholic community committed to academic excellence.” Children from ages 4 to 14 benefit from an integrated faith formation education approach through weekly Mass, religion curriculum and service opportunities. St. Francis offers students a well-rounded and challenging curriculum that provides foundation to be successful in high school. The school also has an exceptional parental and volunteer support system. St. Francis Catholic School accepts both Catholic and non-Catholic students; enrollment has increased more than 15% in the past few years. The increase illustrates the commitment to the spiritual and intellectual growth of their students by their faculty.

What’s New: St. Francis Catholic School had a successful year last year with offering in-school instruction for the entire year. This year St. Francis Catholic School is excited to celebrate its 25th year of operation.

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Technical College of the Lowcountry

Campuses: Beaufort, Bluffton, Hampton Type: Two-year community college President: Dr. Richard Gough Phone: 843-525-8207 About the School: The Technical College of the Lowcountry is the region’s primary provider of post-secondary education and workforce training. The public, two-year, multi-campus community college serves approximately 5,000 students annually. The college offers a variety of curricular programs including university transfer options, career and continuing education, online learning, and dual enrollment for area high school students. The college graduates more than 300 students annually from programs in building and industrial; business; culinary arts and hospitality; health sciences; human services; law and criminal justice; and STEM. Fully 95% of TCL graduates either go on to four-year institutions or move directly into jobs here in the Lowcountry. TCL has served more than 85,000 students since 1968.

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University of South Carolina Beaufort Island Ambassador Program

Address: Main campus in Bluffton. Specialized campuses in Beaufort and on Hilton Head Island Type: Public university Chancellor: Dr. Al M. Panu Phone: 843-208-8000 Student Population: 2,100 About the School: USCB offers small class sizes and personalized instruction in 39 areas of study within 19 bachelor’s degree programs, two master’s degree programs, and two associate degree programs.

In 2018, the university launched Beaufort College Honors with cohorts in Nursing, Biology, and Lowcountry Studies. In 2019, USCB launched its first graduate program: the M.S. in Computational Science. In 2020, it launched the M.Ed. in Literacy and expanded Honors with a Business cohort. Internships, community partnerships and international opportunities are hallmarks of USCB’s focus on experiential learning. The USCB Sand Sharks compete in baseball, softball, soccer, golf, cross country, and indoor and outdoor track and field. USCB’s Beaufort and Bluffton campuses house students from 31 states and around the world in apartment-style residences.

New in 2021: USCB added concentrations in Marine Biology (as part of a B.S. in Biology) and Cyber-Security (as part of a B.S. in Computational Science).

University of South Carolina Beaufort Center for Event Management and Hospitality Training

Address: 1 Sand Shark Drive, Hilton Head Island Type: Professional Development Program Director: Keri Olivetti Phone: 843-208-8320 About the School: USCB’s Center for Event Management and Hospitality Training offers professional development for hospitality professionals, ensuring exceptional experiences for their Island guests. The Center is home to the Hilton Head Island Center, the Bluffton Center, the Education Center and the Research Center.

The Hilton Head Island Center offers the Island Ambassador Program, which educates hospitality professionals about the history, culture and ecology of their beautiful Island.

The Bluffton Center educates new Blufftonians and hospitality professionals about the rich history, eclectic attributes and unique culture of Bluffton.

The Education Center offers educational resources, including videos on current trends and topics in the industry promoting best practices.

The Research Center joined with the Low Country Resort Island’s Tourism Institute in January 2020, continuing its excellence in hospitality research.

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MORE WAYS TO

OLLI LEARN

OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE OFFERS BROAD RANGE OF ADULT EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS

BY TIM WOOD

Andrea Sisino knows that for many this is likely the first they’ve heard of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

The director of the University of South Carolina Beaufort’s affiliate of the 124-school nationwide network believes her program is in a better-than-ever position to be introduced to the public.

“We got hit hard by COVID, we had to make some hard adjustments,” said Sisino, in her 11th year as head of the program devoted to providing non-credit educational classes and programs for Lowcountry adults 50 and older. “We came out the other side of this as a stronger, technically advanced organization, better equipped than ever to give our students the best possible experience.”

When the COVID pandemic shut down in-person classes at the school’s three campuses on March 16, 2020, discussions had begun about developing distanced learning among local OLLI officials, but no official steps had been taken.

“Within a month, we pivoted to serve our members.

We taught ourselves and our instructors how to use

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Zoom, how to use Vimeo to put the classes on-demand,” Sisino said.

OLLI staffers and volunteers also coached members on how to use the new technology, sometimes one-onone, sometimes in small groups. OLLI’s nationwide efforts were so successful that they were profiled in an April 2021 edition of the TV news program, “Inside Edition.”

“We’re proud of what we achieved. Locally, we brought 90 of our programs online and then offered them on demand as well to our members,” Sisino said.

As the program makes the transition to in-person classes and a pre-COVID-size participation, OLLI’s tech work has created a program able to better adapt to any individual members’ life challenges.

“We have some seniors who can’t drive, some that are visiting relatives or gone on vacation and still want to take their classes, and now we can offer them an online option, both to take the class live, asking questions like they were there, and taking the classes on-demand,” she said.

Sisino pointed to one recent Beaufort-based history class that had 80 members in person and 45 members joined online.

“It was so cool to see that evolution, to see us serving our members on a new level,” she said.

The tech pivot has also broadened the kinds of classes the Lowcountry OLLI can offer. OLLI found a chef in Verona, Italy, to teach an authentic Italian cooking class live from Verona via Zoom, Sisino said.

“We developed a relationship with NASA to give a series of classes and lectures, the most recent one on where all the space junk goes from all the rockets launched into space,” she said.

This often results in what Sisino calls “pop-up classes,” programs not listed in the course catalog that come together last-minute and are offered via an e-mail blast to members.

“There are no limits to what we can dream up now. My staff is so energized,” she said.

The program is transitioning from its traditionally light summer schedule of classes (about 50 classes on-demand, available to watch through August) to a 100-program schedule in the fall, with 98 percent of them set to be available on-demand.

“We have some experiential learning classes like handson pottery or drawing that just don’t work being taped, but other than that, it’s all going on-demand as well as inperson,” she said.

Annual membership for the program is $40 (you can join at any point during the year). Summer classes are free for members, while fall classes run anywhere from $10-20 apiece. The program offers an unlimited option for $125, allowing members to sign up for as many classes as they want, as well as access to the full on-demand library.

“We have some students who want to take 15 or 20 classes from September to December, so that proves to be a great value for them,” Sisino said. “These classes broaden their brain power, their connectivity to others and their involvement in the community. We can’t wait to meet the next wave of the Lowcountry’s great senior learners.”

Register online at olli.uscb.edu, at 843-208-8247 or inperson at the school’s Bluffton, Beaufort or Hilton Head Island offices.

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IIGOOD DEEDSII

PUPPY POWER D O G B R I N G S C O M F O R T T O H I LT O N H E A D A I R P O R T

BY CARRIE HIRSCH | PHOTO SUPPLIED

Feeling stressed about dog into the airport. air travel with the tight time“In this case, the dog was lines and long security lines?

Sasha. Well, I’m a life-long Sometimes comfort walks in dog person and I loved the on four paws. idea immediately,” he said.

Now that people are “At the time, Sasha’s “parents” described the training, certificaflying more often as pantions, and mission of a comfort demic travel restrictions have lessened, passengers at dog and that alone amazed me. the newly expanded Hilton We were graced several times by Head Island Airport have had Sasha’s visits.” the pleasant surprise of being In addition to visiting the greeted by Zoara, a golden airport, Zoara visits Hilton Head High School to bring a calming retriever who wears a vest that reads: “Please Pet Me.” influence to the seniors before The mere act of petting annual testing.

Zoara Comfort Dog with new friends at the Hilton Head Island Airport She visits residents in nursa dog is known to provide myriad benefits and based on ing homes who are lonely or the feedback, has enhanced miss their former pets. Her calm the airport experience. Nothing rivals unbridled affection from man’s nature has eased fears of dogs in children that she visits in local after(and woman’s) best friend. school programs. Zoara was called to Bluffton High School this year The Island Lutheran Comfort Dog ministry started in January to bring comfort to grieving students and staff after three boys were 2015 under the leadership of Phil Burden and a dog named Sasha. injured, one fatally.

Phil and Sasha have retired but the church received Zoara in October The team also makes visits to doctors’ offices, preschools and 2019 from Lutheran Church Charities, said Rachelle Jeffery of Zoara senior living places.

Comfort Dog. “We are looking forward to Parris Island and local hospitals openZoara, a 5-year-old American Kennel Club Golden Retriever, ing up after COVID so we can visit them again soon,” Jeffery said. has more than 2,000 hours of training.

Her team will also deploy in crisis or disaster situations when “She is passive and gentle when working with the public,” said requested, Jeffery said.

Jeffery, who started out as Zoara’s caregiver and later took over the “A comfort dog has a unique way of just putting someone at ease. ministry when Phil retired.

Zoara is so incredibly approachable that you just can’t help going up “A dog is an effective communicator because they help people to pet her,” Jeffery said. feel safe, they are nonjudgmental and demonstrate unconditional “A friendly face in the form of a sweet, innocent dog works wonlove,” she said. “The dog is a bridge that allows us to bring comders in putting people at ease. Perhaps they are reminded of their dog whom they are going home to. Perhaps they had a dog as a child. fort, help, and hope to those hurting and in need in the community Overall, a comfort dog has a way of reducing the stress of the travel and surrounding areas.”

Jon Rembold, C.M., Airports Director, says the idea of experience and literally helping people to relax a bit...and smile.” having a comfort dog visit the Hilton Head Airport came about To request a visit with Zoara Comfort Dog, find her on Facebook two years ago when he was approached about bringing a comfort or visit islandlutheran.org/index.php/en/zoara-comfort-dog.

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“where to worship”

Lord of Life Lutheran Church

We at Lord of Life Lutheran Church seek to serve in the name of Christ.

Sunday Worship Service at 8:30am & 10:30am in the Sanctuary Virtual Worship on YouTube at 10am Lord Of Life Lutheran Church Virtual Worship on Facebook Lord of Life, Bluffton 351 BUCKWALTER PARKWAY BLUFFTON, SC 29910

LORDOFLIFE BLUFFTON.ORG 843 757 4774

Grace Coastal Church Come. Experience Grace.

Saturday Night “Come As You Are” Service Online at 7pm Sunday Morning Schedule Worship Services 9am and 11am 15 WILLIAMS DRIVE OKATIE SC 29909

843 379 5520 GCCOFFICE16 GMAIL.COM

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FUN EVENTS FOR

AUG. 28-29 THE FLYING KARAMAZOV BROTHERS

EVERYONE!

CALENDAR

AUG. 2, 9, 16 WORKSHOP: COLORED PENCILS: A weekly class where participants will explore exciting possibilities with colored pencils on various surfaces. Cost is $120 for members, $108 for non-members. 1-4 p.m., Art League Academy, 106 Cordillo Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-681-5060 or artleaguehhi.org.

AUG. 3 JAZZ IN THE PARK: Enjoy a free concert featuring the John Brackett Quartet. Bring your own chairs. Free. 8-9:30 p.m., Lowcountry Celebration Park, Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-2055 or hhso.org.

AUG. 5 FIRST THURSDAYS ART MARKET: Meet over two dozen local artists as they present their work on the first Thursday of the month. Stroll the plaza, see the exhibits, talk with artists and enjoy live music, complimentary wine samples and more. Free entry. 4-7 p.m., The Shops at Sea Pines Center,

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71 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head Island. 843-3635699 or theshopsatseapinescenter.com.

MOVIE NIGHTS IN THE PARK: “SHREK”: Watch this blockbuster hit under the stars on a 20-foot movie screen. Bring beach chairs, blankets and take-out food. Free. 8:30 p.m., Shelter Cove Community Park, 40 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. sheltercovetownecentre.com.

SALUTE TO SEALKIDS: This cocktail reception and Lowcountry boil event aims to raise funds and awareness for SEALKIDS’ mission, which is the only nonprofit organization dedicated to the academic success of children in the Navy SEAL community. Cost is $100 per ticket.

6:30-9 p.m., Coast, 87 North Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island. sealkids.org.

AUG. 5-7 GURHAN TRUNK SHOW: Join Forsythe Jewelers for a presentation of Gurhan’s newest collections, featuring an exquisite selection of one-of-a-kind pieces and hand-crafted designs in high karat gold and sterling silver. Enjoy a

complimentary gift with your Gurhan purchase.

Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Forsythe Jewelers, 71 Lighthouse Road, Suite 311, Hilton Head Island.

843-671-7070 or forsythejewelers.biz.

AUG. 5-8 PALMETTO ANIMAL LEAGUE ONLINE AUCTION: A virtual experience that can help rescue homeless pets. Bid on a variety of items and gift certificates from popular restaurants, shops and service providers. Each item represents life-saving support for PAL’s compassionate, no-kill rescue programs. 843-645-1725 or PALauction.org.

AUG. 6 FIRST FRIDAY AFTER FIVE: Shop, dine and enjoy Downtown. Explore and support Beaufort’s charming local downtown shops, restaurants and art galleries, featuring tasty refreshments and local live music. Free. 5-8 p.m., Downtown Beaufort. downtownbeaufortsc.org.

AUG. 6-7 THE BILLY THORNTON QUARTET AT THE JAZZ CORNER: : $10. 7:30-11 p.m., The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com.

AUG. 7 DRAWING BASICS: SIGHTING, MEASURING & PROPORTION: USC Beaufort Instructor Chad Penner teaches simple techniques for sighting and measuring objects.

Participants will apply these skills to the drawing of a still-life of common objects using graphite pencils. Cost is $30. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 South Jacob Smart Boulevard, Ridgeland. 843-284-9227 or morrisheritagecenter.org.

MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR SAVANNAH: This Free Family Movie Night will screen a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed and incredibly inspiring documentary films curated from the Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado. Includes a social hour, food trucks, Leopold’s ice cream and free popcorn. Free. 5 p.m., Ships of the Sea Museum, 41 Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Savannah. mountainfilmsav.org.

AUG. 9-13 SPIRIT OF AMERICA: Middle-schoolers are invited to join the Beaufort Community Sailing and Boating Community for a series in premier youth boating education. Featuring drowning prevention, SC Boater’s Education Course, SC DNR and Coast Guard information, plus paddle, sailing and powerboat training. Cost is $100 or demonstrated financial need for a free ride. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club, 30 Yacht Club Drive, Beaufort. 843-522-8216 or beaufortsailing.com.

AUG. 10 EDIBLE ART: BEACH-THEMED COOKIES WORKSHOP: Pastry Chef Jami Wright will share tips and techniques that will give you insider secrets to professional cookie decorating. All materials are included. Cost is $66 for members, $70 for nonmembers. 6-9 p.m., Art League Academy, 106 Cordillo Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-681-5060 or artleaguehhi.org.

FAMILY FUN DAY: Each year, the Coastal Discovery Museum celebrates the end of summer and start of the school year with a free Family Fun Day. Learn about the Lowcountry from Museum volunteers, pull a crab trap, try indigo dyeing, search for caterpillars, meet local authors and more.

Free. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767 or coastal discovery.org.

AUG. 14 BOBCAT SCORCHER 5K: Enjoy the scenery while racing on a flat and fast all road course within the Hampton Hall community.

Proceeds will benefit the BLHS Cross Country Team, the Grace Sulak Scholarship Foundation, and the Scorcher Senior Student Scholarship Fund. Cost is $30 for runners, $20 for students. 8-10 a.m., Hampton Hall, 170 Hampton Hall Boulevard, Bluffton.

843-815-1718 or palmettorunningcompany.com.

SCHOOL YEAR KICK-OFF: From Soul of the South to The Battle of Honey Hill, get a curator-led tour of the Morris Center’s current exhibitions. Participants will get a sneak peek at VEME and discover standards-based lesson plans and visual literacy techniques to use in the classrooms. Free. 4 p.m., Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 South Jacob Smart Boulevard, Ridgeland. 843-2849227 or morrisheritagecenter.org.

AUG. 17 JAZZ IN THE PARK: Enjoy a free concert featuring the John Brackett Quartet. Bring your own chairs. Free. 8-9:30 p.m., Lowcountry Celebration Park, Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-2055 or hhso.org.

AUG. 11 ARTIST RECEPTION: “LEGACY GULLAH HOMECOMING”: SELF Self-taught St. Helena artist Lisa Rivers will exhibit her work Aug. 3-28. Her art is a colorful homage to life in the South. Enjoy the artwork and refreshments, plus meet the artist. Free. 5-7 p.m., Art League Gallery, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-6815060 or artleaguehhi.org.

AUG. 12 CONVERSATION AND COCKTAILS: Conversations build relationships, and relationships build business. Enjoy end-of-summer networking plus food, drinks and company at Tio’s newest location in Buckwalter. Cost is $10 for members, $20 for future members. 5:30-7 p.m., Tio’s Latin American Kitchen, 7 Venture Drive, Suite 106, Bluffton. 843-785-3673 or hiltonheadchamber.org.

MOVIE NIGHTS IN THE PARK: “INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM”: Watch this blockbuster hit under the stars on a 20’ movie screen. Bring beach chairs, blankets and takeout food. Free. 8:30 p.m., Shelter Cove Community Park, 40 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. sheltercovetownecentre.com.

AUG. 13-14 JACKSON & MAGGIE EVANS AT THE JAZZ CORNER: Featuring guitarist Jocelyn Gould. $10. 7:30-11 p.m., The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com.

AUG. 18 BETTER TOGETHER JOB FAIR: A unique job fair that embodies a culture of celebration.

There will be various resources and services on site, including on-the-spot interviews. Free. Noon-4 p.m., St. Luke’s Church, 50 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island. bettertogetherus.org.

KEEP THE BROAD CREEK CLEAN FESTIVAL: A festival featuring local non-profits and organizations, all with interactive and educational exhibits related to conservation, recycling and environmental stewardship. Featuring a lantern-making workshop, tie-dye station, a touch tank of marsh critters, eco-art fun and snacks from Palmetto Pops. Bring your hard-to-recycle items for recycling: charger cords, CFLs, batteries, laptops. Free. 4-8 p.m., Shelter Cove Community Park, 39 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-815-1718 or palmettorunningcompany.com.

AUG. 19 LIVE AFTER FIVE: Every third Thursday of the month is Downtown Beaufort’s newest recurring monthly party with live music, local artists, late night shopping and drink and food specials. Free. 5-8 p.m., Downtown Beaufort, Beaufort. “Like” the event on Facebook.

MARTINIS AT THE MANSION: The Mansion on Forsyth Park’s charity networking series will take place on the third Thursday of every month to benefit a different local nonprofit. Admission is a suggested $5 donation. 5:30-7 p.m., Mansion on Forsyth Park, 700 Drayton Street, Savannah. 912238-5158 or kesslercollection.com.

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GURHAN TRUNK SHOW

MOVIE NIGHTS IN THE PARK: “THE LION KING”: Watch this blockbuster hit under the stars on a 20-foot movie screen. Bring beach chairs, blankets and take-out food. Free. 8:30 p.m., Shelter Cove Community Park, 40 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. sheltercovetownecentre.com.

AUG. 20-21 MARK STERBANK AT THE JAZZ CORNER: Featuring Blues, Ballads and Swing with the music of tenor saxophonist Mark Sterbank. $10.

7:30-11 p.m., The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com.

AUG. 20-29 SAVANNAH’S GOURMET SEAFOOD AND SPIRITS FESTIVAL: This eighth annual event features a series of dazzling seafood and spirit events hosted by premiere venues on the cutting edge of the culinary and cocktail scene. Prices, times and locations vary. seafoodandspirits.com.

AUG. 21 HILTON HEAD CARS AND COFFEE: A meet-up for car enthusiasts to have fun one Saturday XXXXXX morning out of each month. Show off your vehicles, chat with other like-minded people, and see cars that you just don’t see everyday. Free.

8-11 a.m., USCB, 1 University Boulevard, Bluffton.

“Like” the event on Facebook. carsandcoffeehhi.com.

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MARTINIS AT THE MANSION

THROUGH AUG. 22 MAMMA MIA!: Nominated for five Tony Awards, this magical musical story follows a mother, a daughter, three possible dads, and an unforgettable trip down the aisle. Ticket costs and times vary. Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-8422787 or artshhi.com.

AUG. 23-27 PALMETTO BLUFF ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: Cathead Distillery, the first legal distillery in the state of Mississippi, was founded in 2010 by Austin Evans and Richard Patrick. They will represent the brand this month as Palmetto Bluff’s artists in residence. Event details vary. 866-706-6565 or palmettobluff.com.

AUG. 26 “OFF THE WALL” EXHIBIT OPENING RECEPTION: An opening reception for this three-dimensional artwork exhibit showcasing sculpture, pottery and functional forms. The exhibit is on display through Oct. 17. Free. 5-7 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767 or coastaldiscovery.org.

SPIKEBALL TOURNAMENT: Sponsored by Truly. Includes a cash bar and prizes for winning teams. Proceeds will benefit Turtle Trackers of Hilton Head Island. Cost is $20 for a team of two, includes a Truly beverage for each participant aged 21 and older. 3-8 p.m., Coast Oceanfront Dining, 87 North Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island. seapines.com.

AUG. 27 FOURTH FRIDAY ARTISTS MARKET: Coligny Plaza and Art League of Hilton Head have partnered to create a monthly outdoor showcase of Lowcountry art and artists. Items for sale include paintings and illustrations, mixed media art, sculptures and more. Free entry. 4-7 p.m., Coligny Plaza, 1 North Forest Beach Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-6815060 or artleaguehhi.com.

AUG. 27-28 MELVIN JONES AND THE KEVIN BALES TRIO AT THE JAZZ CORNER: $10. 7:30-11 p.m., The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com.

AUG. 28-29 THE FLYING KARAMAZOV BROTHERS: Expect the unexpected with these four selfproclaimed eccentrics spicing things up. Featuring a zany showcase filled with laugh-out-loud comedy, wild theatrics and astonishing juggling feats. Ages 5 and up. Cost is $62 for adults, $49 for children under 15. 7:30 p.m., Saturday; 2 p.m., Sunday. Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-843-2787 or artshhi.com.

AUG. 29 HILTON HEAD BIG FISH 5K: A 5K run or walk open to all ages. Experience running on South Beach while enjoying the beautiful scenery within Sea Pines. A portion of the proceeds will benefit

the John Berrigan Cross Country Scholarship. Cost is $30 for runners and walkers, $20 for students. 8 a.m., South Beach Marina, South Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-815-1718 or palmettorunningcompany.com.

AUG. 31 VIRTUALLY SPEAKING: PIRACY IN THE LOWCOUNTRY: Dr. Mark Hanna, Associate Professor of History at University of California in San Diego, navigates patrons through the history of pirates in the South Carolina and Georgia Lowcountry. Free. 5 p.m., Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 South Jacob Smart Boulevard, Ridgeland. 843-284-9227 or morrisheritagecenter.org.

SEPT. 3-4 MAY RIVER MUSIC FESTIVAL: The second annual May River Music Festival is a weekend-long event dedicated to bringing singers and songwriters together along the banks of the Lowcountry’s May River. Featuring live music performances by Gin Blossoms, Mitchel Tenpenny, SUSTO and Lakeview. Cost is $200. Times vary.

Montage Palmetto Bluff, 477 Mount Pelia Road, Bluffton. 855-264-8705 or montagehotels.com.

SEPT. 13 SWING FOR THE FUTURE GOLF EVENT: Tickets are now on sale for The Children’s Center’s one-of-a-kind golf event with proceeds benefiting the organization’s mission to provide high-quality early education to families in need. Cost is $250 per player, $1,000 per foursome. Includes golf, cart, a box lunch and after-golf cocktails. Noon, Long Cove Club, 399 Long Cove Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-681-2739 or thechildrenscentersc.org.

SWING FOR THE FUTURE

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MONDAYS INDIGO TIE DYE: Learn how indigo dye is made from a plant and use it to create a Tie dye T-shirt to take home. All supplies are provided. Cost is $12 for adults, $7 for children. 3-4 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767, ext. 223 or coastaldiscovery.org.

MONDAYS VIRTUAL KID’S STORY TIME: Listen to Rebecca read family favorites about the Lowcountry’s natural and cultural history on the Coastal Discovery Museum’s Facebook page. 10:30 a.m. Watch on Facebook Live at @ coastaldiscoverymuseum. 843- 689-6767 or coastaldiscovery.org.

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MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, FRIDAYS MEMORY MATTERS: “VIRTUAL COMPASS CLASSES”: An online program designed for adults experiencing mild to moderate cognitive impairment. Compass provides curriculum-based activities, physical exercise, relaxation techniques, life-long learning, small group discussions and socialization. Cost is $400 per month. 10 a.m., 1 p.m. 843-842-6688 or mymemorymatters.org.

MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS GREGG RUSSELL SUMMER CONCERTS: After a one-year, COVID-driven hiatus, beloved Sea Pines Resort entertainer Gregg Russell will be back this summer in Harbour Town performing his family-friendly concerts. Renowned for his interactive sing-alongs, the Hilton Head Island icon will take the stage below the famed Sea Pines Liberty Oak. Free. 8-9 p.m., Harbour Town, 149 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head Island. seapines.com.

TUESDAYS FARMERS & MAKERS MARKET: Now in its 8th year, the Market will present more fresh, local produce, seafood, breads and cheeses, crafts and artisans than ever before.

Enjoy the colorful displays that grow and change each week throughout the season. Free entry. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., The Shops at Sea Pines Center, 71 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head Island.

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. 843-473-5231 or hhifarmersmarket.com.

TUESDAYS SUMMER JAMS: A fun-filled, festive atmosphere with fireworks starting around 9 p.m. Kids of all ages can enjoy inflatable bounce houses and face painting for a minimal fee. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the fireworks. Free entry. 6-10:30 p.m., Shelter Cove Community Park, 39 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-681-7273 or islandreccenter.org.

TUESDAYS PARTY IN THE PARK: Enjoy the beautiful new Lowcountry Celebration Park with a family happy hour, including live music, bounce houses and beverages. Free entry. 5:30-8 p.m., Lowcountry Celebration Park, Hilton Head Island. 843-681-7273 or islandreccenter.org.

GREG RUSSELL

Photo courtesy Sea Pines Resort

TUESDAYS OPEN MIC NIGHT AT CORKS: Show up and show off your talent during this open mic night, every Tuesday night at Corks Bluffton.

7-10 p.m., Corks Wine Bar and Restaurant, 14 Promenade Street, Bluffton. 843-815-5168 or corkswinecobluffton.com.

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I I A U G U S T 2 0 // 2 1 E V E N T G U I D E I I TUESDAYS ZION CEMETERY AND BAYNARD MAUSOLEUM COSTUMED CEMETERY TOUR: Visit the gravesites of four Revolutionary War heroes and learn about the blood skirmish fought just a few steps away. $15 Adult/$10 Child, 10:30 a.m., Corner of U.S. 278 & Matthews Dr, Hilton Head Island. Reservations required- 843686-6560 or heritagelib.org.

THURSDAYS FARMERS MARKET OF BLUFFTON: New location! Meet local farmers, chefs and artisans every Thursday on Green 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, 71 Green Street, Bluffton.

843-415-2447 or farmersmarketbluffton.org.

THURSDAYS CIVIL WAR ERA: Hilton Head Island was home to thousands of Union soldiers during the Civil War. Join this presentation featuring maps and historic photos of this time on Hilton Head from 1861-1865. Reservations required. Cost is $12 for adults, $7 for children. 3 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767, ext. 223. or coastaldiscovery.org.

THURSDAYS HISTORIC FORT MITCHEL TOURS: Immerse yourself in the fascinating Civil War history of Hilton Head Island with a visit to Fort Mitchel. Costumed characters and an expert tour guide will demonstrate the vital historic importance of this place and the role the fort and its namesake, General Mitchel, played in shaping Hilton Head history, including historic Mitchelville. Cost is $15 for adults, $10 for children. 10:30-11:30 a.m., Hilton Head Plantation, 65 Skull Creek Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-686-6560 or heritagelib.org.

THURSDAYS DUELING PIANOS SHOW: The only Dueling Pianos Show on Hilton Head Island takes place each Thursday night on the Rooftop Bar. 8-11 p.m., Rooftop Bar at Poseidon, 38 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-341-3838 or therooftophhi.com.

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THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS SIT AND STITCH: Enjoy knitting, crochet, needlepoint, rug hook practice as Needlepoint Junction stays open late. All levels welcome. Outside food and drink permitted.

Free. Virtual Thursdays 3 p.m.; In-person Fridays 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Needlepoint Junction, Suite J-7-E, Village at Wexford, Hilton Head Island. 843-8428488 or needlepointjunctionhhi.com.

FRIDAYS SUNSET CELEBRATION: Enjoy this free summer concert series featuring local live music, through Aug. 16. Pets welcome.

Free. 7-10 p.m., Shelter Cove Community Park, 39 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. sheltercovetownecentre.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. 843-8428488 or shopneedlepointjunction.com.

SATURDAYS MARINA MORNINGS: OUTDOOR YOGA: Practice yoga on the pavilion at Shelter Cove, with draft kombucha to follow. All levels welcome.

Cost is $20. 8 a.m., Pure Salt Studios, 1 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-707-7027 or puresaltstudios.com.

ALLIGATOR AND WILDLIFE BOAT TOUR: Alligator & 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, 843-671-4386 or h2osports.com.

PICKLEBALL AT PALMETTO DUNES: Learn how to play Pickleball with daily clinics and round robins at the Palmetto Dunes Pickleball Center in Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort. Courts and equipment are available to rent. Reservations recommended. palmettodunes.com

CURBSIDE CRAFTS TO-GO: Children and adults can order a variety of craft activities pre-assembled and ready to enjoy at your home or villa. Book online. Cost is $12-$20. Sea Pines Resort Fitness and Recreation Department, 71 Lighthouse Road, Suite 122, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-1979 or seapines.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 $4.25/person, complimentary for children ages 5 and younger. 149 Lighthouse Rd. 843-671-2810 or harbourtownlighthouse.com.

TRAIL RIDES THROUGH THE SEA PINES FOREST PRESERVE WITH LAWTON STABLES: 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 lawtonstables.com.

ADVENTURE HILTON HEAD: Enjoy a thrill-seeking Zipline tour with scenic views of Broad Creek. Ages 10 and older. Cost is $89 per person. High Ropes courses feature four levels of difficulty. Ages 5 and older. Cost is $49 per person. GoKart Hilton Head, a new family-friendly attraction, is set to debut this summer. 33 Broad Creek Marina Way, Hilton Head Island. 843-682-6000 or visit myadventurehiltonhead.com.

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PHOTO BY TYLER PETRICH

Good theater requires magic — something the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina pulls off with aplomb. Celebrating 25 years since its inception, the Arts Center is closing its season with the everpopular musical Mamma Mia! and a trio of behind-the-scenes experts wants to pull back the curtain to expose a few secrets.

“Most people don’t realize the detail that goes into each show we create,” says Andrea Gannon, VP of Marketing, noting that 132 // H I LT O N H E A D M O N T H LY. C O M

the quality of actors, directors, and dancers it hires is far more professional than many realize. “We produce five shows each year that we literally build the house for, not to mention going to New York City for casting and getting the orchestra hired.”

For Mamma Mia! that meant building a movable Greek village that could be rolled on and off stage, creating costumes for every scene and moving the orchestra pit due to COVID restrictions.

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BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE ARTS CENTER OF COASTAL CAROLINA ON ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY

PUll PU llING ING BACK THE

CURTAIN STORY BY VICKIE MCINTYRE

Earlier, other changes were implemented.

“We purchased a ULF fogging system to use between performances, upgraded our air filtration system, added plexiglass partitions, and sashed seats to allow for physical distancing,” Gannon said. “And we are a 100% vaccinated work force, as is the cast.”

Because of those upgrades, the Actor’s Equity Association gave

the Arts Center, which intimately seats 349 people, the green light to re-open back in February, a privilege extended to only a handful of theaters across the country.

Although live auditions had to be scratched in favor of video submissions, the talent they secured is impressive.

“We got to pick the best people,” says Bradley Vieth, Musical Director, adding that the Arts Center routinely boasts Broadway A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 // 133

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THE ARTS CENTER OF COASTAL CAROLINA

The lighting dIrector’s tech table.

talent, but because so many theaters are still shuttered, the turnout this year for auditions was extremely competitive.

One such veteran is Meredith Inglesby, who made her Broadway debut as Babette in Beauty and the Beast and currently plays the lead role of Donna in the show.

Incidentally, her return to the area is a bit of a homecoming as she grew up here and attended Hilton Head Prep.

Vieth, formerly on the faculty at Florida Southern College, is no stranger to the Arts Center. He’s been at the musical helm 10 times before, which explains his familiarity with the spaces and corridors behind the stage.

There’s the “green room” where actors relax and focus before heading back onstage, and the “black box” studio where rehearsals are held. Costumes are stored upstairs, while quick-change stations occupy either side of the wings.

Props and sets fill an immense area backstage. Everything is connected by darkness.

“It’s a bit of a maze,” says Vieth, “but that’s the beauty of theaters.”

One narrow staircase leads to a windowless room filled with music stands, instrumental keyboards, and a cache of guitars. “The pit,” he says with flair, “and technology makes it all possible.”

Next to Vieth’s keyboard is a TV screen that allows him to view what’s happening on stage, a camera that allows actors on stage to see him as he conducts, and audio monitors that allow communication between the stage and the pit.

There’s even a button that lights up when the stage manager needs emergency communication by phone. Sophisticated software ties it all together.

Making it seamless requires practice. For two weeks Vieth — alongside Director Casey Colgan — works with the actors, concentrating on vocals and articulation, 134 // H I LT O N H E A D M O N T H LY. C O M

then he fine-tunes rhythm, volume, and timing with the musicians, comprised of a second keyboard player, two guitarists, a bass player, and a percussionist.

“Everybody takes responsibility for their own role,” says Vieth, who explains that if you were in the room, you wouldn’t hear the keyboards, which only feed into headsets and the auditorium.

“It’s amazing how fast it comes together,” adds David Warren, one of the guitarists. “That’s due to the creative team and staff working together behind the scenes.”

Warren, a Hilton Head resident and member of The Chilly Willy Band, joined the orchestra in response to a Facebook post thinking the experience would be “fun.”

“But this is completely different from Chilly Willy,” he notes. “You’ve got to hit every note. There’s no wiggle room; even the strumming has a certain rhythm.”

Learning 95 pages of music in less than three weeks wasn’t easy.

“I came in holding on by my fingernails,” he said.

Music wasn’t all he had to learn. When another guitarist gave him music from a previous season, Warren was surprised to see a handwritten note above one song stating: I DON’T WANT TO TALK. “It seemed a bit adversarial,” chuckles Warren, admitting he later realized it was part of the script that “cued” a song that was about to begin.

Despite calling himself a “dungeon critter,” Warren revels in the supporting role he brings to the show. He also wants everyone who drives by the Arts Center to realize the diverse talent that’s housed inside.

“It’s incredible and it’s here,” he said, hoping the next time the curtain rises, you’ll be dazzled by the illusions.

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IIHAPPENINGSII

RESTAURANT

NEWS OKATIE NUTRITION

LULU KITCHEN

BREWERY OPENS ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Lincoln & South Brewing Company has opened on Island Drive on Hilton Head Island. The Vermont-inspired brewery was founded last year. It offers beverages on draft and is planning to make them available in cans. Open Tuesday through Sunday.

Dog friendly. Food trucks and live music featured.

SHAKES AND TEA IN OKATIE

Okatie Nutrition, which offers healthy shakes and “energizing teas," opened recently on Riverwalk Boulevard. Okatie Nutrition offers protein shakes and teas with a vast variety of flavors. It is open seven days a week.

NEW EATERY COMING TO BLUFFTON

Groobys, Too! is getting closer to opening. Located at Sheridan Circle, the N.Y. Deli and restaurant plans to offer a “laid back, fun atmosphere,” according to its Facebook page.

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LINCOLN & SOUTH BREWING COMPANY

LIVE MUSIC AT LULU KITCHEN

Lulu Kitchen on the island features live music each Monday night with Bill Peterson Island Jazz. Each performance is set for 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION PROGRAM AWARDS $28.6 BILLION

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund paid out $28.6 billion to more than 100,000 restaurants and other food and beverage businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Women-owned businesses received $7.5 billion. Veteranowned businesses earned $1 billion. Social and economically disadvantaged-owned businesses earned $6.7 billion, and businesses owned by representatives of multiple underserved populations received $2.8 billion. The SBA said the average size of grant awards to applicants was $283,000.

CONNECTING THROUGH

Wine

“Tarpon Cellars was founded with the focus of bringing people together through wine, music, art, and philanthropy.

We feel the best way to do this is through not only crafting inspired wines that speak to a sense of place and vintage, but by being a heart-centered business that values connection, sustainability, and community over anything else. We make wines to share with our friends and our family, and the sense of gratitude we have for that is what encompasses everything that we do.”

By Stephanie Skager Can I be friends with those people or work for them, or be connected to them in any way?

I honestly don’t think I have seen a more genuine and just allaround good mission statement. Until I can meet Jeremy Carter and Parish Owens, the founding partners of Tarpon Cellars, I will have to settle for a connection to them through their wines, which will not be difficult because they are delicious.

Seeing as both gentlemen are Georgia natives, they understand how to make wines that you can drink when it is hot outside.

This portfolio consists of three wines, all of them fresh and chillable and chuggable. The white is a blend of Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc; the “skin contact” rose is 97% tempranillo and 3% Sauvignon Blanc; and the red is a blend of Nebbiolo, Primitivo, and Tempranillo that undergo carbonic maceration, keeping it beautiful and light.

The Nebbiolo brings more tannin and structure to the red than you may think. The tasting notes from the website are spot on and entertaining. I highly suggest visiting the site and checking them out.

Let’s talk about the music portion of this mission. Tarpon Cellars has partnered with Spotify to create a playlist for each of their wines. So cool!

The music is good too. Playlists include artists like the Rolling Stones, Waylon Jennings, Sturgill Simpson, and Toots and The Maytals. Each playlist is meant to encompass the personality of each wine. The artist behind this stunning label is self-taught Charlie Hanavich. An Atlanta native, he says it was love at first sight when he viewed Picasso’s “Girl Before a Mirror” in New York’s Museum of Modern Art. “From there, I purchased a large canvas and started painting. I was officially hooked,” says Hanavich, whose art commands wall space internationally, from private homes to commercial buildings, and now a wine label.

One last thing to cover is philanthropy. They have decided to donate $1 for every bottle sold to the Georgia Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This is a wonderful selfless commitment for them.

I would like to share a viewpoint that I share with them and believe. It is one of the things that also made me fall in love with wine.

“Wine is meant to connect people: to a vineyard block, to a growing season, to a winemaker, and most importantly to each other.”

I love that.

Stephanie Skager is a certified Sommelier and Manager at Rollers Wine & Spirits.

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IIDINE OUTII

OUR FAVORITES

restaurants BROUGHT TO YOU BY MONTHLY, FORK & FUN AND VACATION GUIDE

HILTON HEAD // NORTH END:

Crazy Crab Jarvis Creek

Hwy. 278 | 843.681.5021 | thecrazycrab.com A Hilton Head tradition for over 30 years, enjoy genuine service and fresh seafood. Menu feature crab clusters, local oysters, seafood “your way,” fresh local shrimp.

Healthy Habit

33 Office Park Road | 843.686.5600 | healthyhabithhi.com A quick service style restaurant with a focus on chopped salads and other plant based items utilizing the freshest ingredients possible with hand crafted dressings.

Il Carpaccio

200A Museum St. (Across from Walmart) | 843.342.9949 Authentic Italian cuisine, ranging from cuisine of Northern Italy to crispy, thin-crust, Italian-style pizza. Casual restaurant, with a genuine brick pizza oven (imported from Italy).

Street Meet: The American Tavern

Port Royal Plaza | 843.842.2570 | streetmeethhi.com Street Meet specializes in homemade versions of regional American bar food. Best Wings, Fish & Chips, Homemade Soups, Salads, Vegetarian Menu, Seafood.

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HILTON HEAD // MID-ISLAND:

Giuseppi's Pizza & Pasta

76 Queens Folly Rd. | 843.785.4999 | alexandersrestaurant.com Menu uses seasonal ingredients with a strong emphasis on seafood while paying homage to Alexander’s original favorites. Dinner from 5–10pm daily.

Gruby's New York Deli

Alexander’s Restaurant & Wine Bar

Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers & Pizza

7 Trent Jones Ln. | 855.878.1966 | palmettodunes.com/big-jims Big Jim’s offers signature Southern dishes, gourmet burgers, pizzas, soups, salads, seafood, steaks and ribs. Open daily for breakfast, lunch & dinner.

50 Shelter Cove Lane | 843.785.4144 | giuseppispizza.com They take pride in serving excellent, award-winning pizza (since 1984), plus a broad variety of well-prepared pastas, sandwiches, wings, garden fresh salads and more.

890 William Hilton Parkway | 843.842.9111 grubysnydeli.com Bringing Authentic New York Sandwiches to the South.

A New York-style deli offering classic sandwiches, soups & breakfast dishes in a casual setting offering breakfast and lunch.

Fishcamp on Broad Creek

Island Bagel & Deli

The French Bakery & Courtyard Café

Jane Bistro & Bar

11 Simmons Road | 843.842.2267 | fishcamphhi.com Fishcamp’s menu consists of seafood and American cuisine, including steak and lobster. They have an outdoor bar and open patio. Family friendly.

28 Shelter Cove Ln. | 843.342.5420 | frenchbakeryhiltonhead.com Breakfast or lunch inside or outdoors in this bakery/café.

Enjoy crepes, breads, baguette & panini sandwiches, salads, soups, quiches & pastries. Traditional French recipes.

S. Island Square | 843.686.3353 | islandbagelanddeli.com The island's only New York style boiled bagels made daily.

16 flavors of bagels and 12 home-made cream cheeses.

For lunch: specialty hoagies, classic sandwiches & salads.

28 Shelter Cove Lane | 843.686.5696 | janehhi.com Classic bistro fare with Lowcountry influences. Favorites include jumbo lump crab cakes, pecan cranberry chicken salad, crispy flounder and petit filet mignon. Open daily.

Old Oyster Factory

101 Marshland Rd. | 843.681.6040 | OldOysterFactory.com Panoramic marsh and water views. Specializes in fresh seafood and some of the best steaks on Hilton Head.

Featured in The Wall Street Journal's “Off the Beaten Track.”

San Miguel’s

9 Harbourside Ln. | 843.842.4555 | sanmiguels.com Located directly on the harbour at Shelter Cove and provides good food and fun. Extensive California/ Mexican menu. Lunch and dinner served daily.

Santa Fe Cafe

807 William Hilton Pkwy | 843.785.3838 | santafecafeofhiltonhead.com Casually elegant dining that captures the spirit of New Mexico. Signature items include Parmesan Chipotle Grouper, 24-oz bone-in ribeye steak, fajitas, & Painted Desert Soup.

Sea Grass Grille

807 William Hilton Pkwy | 843.785.9990 | seagrassgrille.com American and Lowcountry Continental cuisine. Chef Chad brings 38 years of hands-on culinary expertise.

More than 50 wines by the glass. Winner of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.

Up the Creek Pub & Grill

18 Simmons Road | 843-681-3625 | upthecreekpubandgrill.com Casual waterfront dining. Menu offers shrimp appetizers, burgers, crab cake sandwiches, seafood baskets and homemade brownies. Open daily.

HILTON HEAD // SOUTH END:

Amigos Cafe y Cantina

70 Pope Ave. | 843-785-8226 | amigoscafehhi.com Quick, Casual, Healthy. Serving Authentic Mexican Food. food is prepared fresh daily using the finest ingredients possible and served by friendly, helpful people, in a clean comfortable atmosphere.

Aunt Chilada’s Easy Street Café 69 Pope Avenue | 843.785.7700 | auntchiladashhi.com Excellent Tex-Mex and American fare. Enjoy the crab legs, sizzling fajitas, & margaritas. Reservations & large parties welcome. Private dining/event area. Seasonal live entertainment.

Big Bamboo

1 N. Forest Beach Dr. | 843.686.3443 | bigbamboocafe.com The South Pacific meets the Carolina Coast just steps from the beach. A casual hangout serving burgers, seafood and festive libations. Come for the food, stay for the live entertainment!

British Open Pub

Village at Wexford | 843.686.6736 | thebritishopenpub.com Family-friendly pub style restaurant with authentic English food with American favorites and certified Angus beef. Try the signature fish and chips or their shepherd’s pie.

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Captain Woody's

6 Target Rd | 843.785.2400 | captainwoodys.com Grab a seat at the outside deck, inside, or just belly up to the bar. Offering a full lunch and dinner menu, happy hour daily, live music seasonally, and brunch on Sundays.

Carolina Crab Company

86 Helmsman Way | 843.842.2016 | carolinacrabco.com Enjoy water views and fresh seafood at an affordable price in a family-friendly atmosphere. Pet-friendly outside bar & patio.

Catch 22

37 New Orleans Rd. | 843.785.6261 | catch22hhi.com Catch 22 is locally owned. Dinner is served nightly from 5 p.m. Early Dining Menu from 5:00– 6:00 p.m. All beef is aged 28 days, U.S.D.A prime, hand selected and cut in house.

Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte

8 New Orleans Road | 843.785.9277 | charliesgreenstar.com Open since 1982, Charlie’s writes its menu daily based on the freshest seafood available. Dinner offers 14 fresh fish, rack of lamb, filet mignon and more. An extensive wine list.

Chez Georges

37 New Orleans Rd | 843-785-3200 | chezgeorgeshhi.com.

Chez Georges serves traditional bistro staples such as steak frites and mussels mariniere, incorporating fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

ChowDaddy’s

Crane’s Tavern Steakhouse & Seafood

26 New Orleans Rd. | 843.341.2333 | cranestavern.com Perfect for steak and seafood lovers, serving cuts of only USDA Prime grade beef, their Famous Prime Rib. Excellent selection of fresh fish, seafood & pasta dishes.

Crazy Crab Harbour Town

Harbour Town | 843.363.2722 | thecrazycrab.com Genuine service and fresh seafood; a Hilton Head tradition for over 30 years! Menus feature crab clusters, local oysters, seafood “your way,” local shrimp and more.

Delisheeyo

32 Palmetto Bay Road | 843.785.3633 | delisheeeyo.com Vegetarian. Smoothies, Buddha Bowls and more.

They provide meals that you can trust, that are real, and healthy.

Healthy Habit

33 Office Park Rd. | 843-686-5600 | healthyhabithhi.com Quick service style restaurant with a focus on chopped salads, superfood bowls, fresh bottled juices, smoothies, breakfast and organic coffee & teas and other plant based items.

Hinchey’s Chicago Bar & Grill

70 Pope Avenue | 843.686.5959 | hincheys.com Hinchey’s has much in common with a sports bar, but is very much a restaurant, too. It is casual, with beachgoers invited to stop by for lunch, or for drinks or dinner.

Dine inside or out.

Hinoki Restaurant & Sushi Bar

14b Executive Park Rd. | 843.757.CHOW | chowdaddys.com Offering a wide variety of menu items focusing on buns, bowls, and tacos and great libations. Lunch & dinner daily.

37 New Orleans Rd. | 843.785.9800 | hinokihhi.com Serving traditional Japanese dishes including grilled fish, chicken and steak, sukiyaki, noodle dishes, tempura, and daily specials, plus sushi and sashimi. Reservations recommended.

Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse

It’s Greek To Me

1000 William Hilton Parkway, B-6 843.715.3565 | cowboybraziliansteakhouse.com A unique, all-you-can eat “Churrascaria.” Enjoy a 30 item salad bar, 6 Brazilian hot dishes and a “parade” of 16 USDA Prime cuts of beef, lamb, chicken and pork carved tableside.

CQ’s Restaurant

140 Lighthouse Rd. | 843.671.2779 | CQsRestaurant.com Fine dining, an intimate atmosphere and a bit of Hilton Head history. Signature dishes include fresh seafood, beef & game.“Bistro” menu offers smaller portions.

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11 Lagoon Rd. | 843.842.4033 | itsgreektomehhi.com Genuine Greek cuisine, from gyros to fried calamari to souvlaki to baklava for dessert. Food is prepared with authentic Greek recipes and they have the only gyro machines on the island.

Kenny B’s Cajun/Creole Seafood

70-A Pope Ave. | 843.785.3315 New Orleans traditions such as jambalaya, red beans and rice, and authentic gumbos. Home of the Island’s best po’ boys and fried seafood. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch.

Michael Anthony’s

37 New Orleans Rd. | 843.785.6272 | michael-anthonys.com Offering upscale classic Italian fine dining featuring innovative preparations and farm fresh ingredients.

Open Table rates them as one of the country's Top 50 Italian Restaurants.

Nick’s Steak & Seafood

9 Park Lane | 843.686.2920 | nickssteakandseafood.com Nick’s Steak & Seafood offers steaks, seafood, barbecue, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, soups, burgers, pasta and a kids’s menu. Reservations accepted. Large parties welcome.

Nunzio Restaurant + Bar

18 New Orleans Road | 843.715.2172 | nunziohhi.com Nunzio Restaurant + Bar specializes in fresh seafood and homemade pasta. Beautiful 1,300-square-foot restaurant with a large bar area and two outdoor seating areas.

Ombra Cucina Italiana

1000 William Hilton Pkwy | 843.842.5505 | ombrahhi.com Chef Michael Cirafesi promotes the foods & wines of Italy. He prepares all pastas, homemade gnocchi, desserts and breads daily. A European-style bar & lounge with Italian cocktails.

One Hot Mama's

Reilleys Plaza | 843.682.6262 | onehotmamas.com One Hot mama’s is a family-friendly restaurant. Try their delicious Meat & 3 combo platters, authentic BBQ platters, hand-cut steaks, burgers, char-grilled chicken and “the world’s best” wings.

Palmetto Bay Sun Rise Café

Palmetto Bay Marina | 843.686.3232 | palmettobaysunrisecafe.com Breakfast fare starting from 6 a.m. Breakfast and lunch items are available continuously. The cafe offers to-go lunches for charter boats, the beach or any occasion.

Open 7 days a week.

Phillys Cafe & Deli

55 New Orleans Rd. | 843.785.9966 | phillyscafe.com Phillys’ motto is “Best sandwiches on the island...

Period!” Custom sandwiches with bread baked fresh daily. The pita wraps and salads are both imaginative and health-conscious.

Red Fish

8 Archer Rd. | 843-686-3388 | redfishofhiltonhead.com Red Fish specializes in beautifully prepared seafood and steaks. Choose from a 1,000-plus bottle selection of wines from around the world. Private dining available.

Reilley’s Grill & Bar

7D Greenwood Dr. | 843.842.4414 | reilleyshiltonhead.com Reilley’s has been serving up steaks, seafood, pasta & sandwiches for more than 35 years. Lunch & dinner daily, & Sunday brunch. The bar is open late.

Rockfish Seafood & Steaks at Bomboras

5 Lagoon Road | 843.689.2662 | rockfishhhi.com A family seafood restaurant and bar near the beach.

Offering fresh and local lowcounty ingredients paired with craft beers and wines. Kids menu. Lunches to Go for the beach.

Salty Dog Cafe

Stack’s Pancakes & More

Sea Shack

Stellini

Slapfish

The Studio

South Beach Marina Village | 843.671.7327 saltydog.com One of Hilton Head’s favorite outdoor cafes for more than 20 years. Fresh seafood. Both indoor and outdoor seating.

Live music & children’s entertainment nightly seasonally.

6 Executive Park Rd. | 843.785.2464 seashackhhi.com One of the island’s most extensive menus of seafood & more. Voted one of "South Carolina’s best seafood spots"

by Coastal Living and Southern Living.

1024 William Hilton Pwy (by Sea Pines Circle) | 843.521.5830 | Slapfishrestaurant.com Slapfish, the nation’s fastest growing seafood restaurants is locally owned and operated by the Lomasney family serving honest flippin’ seafood infused with lots of flavor!

2 Regency Pkwy. & Hwy. 278 | 843.341.3347 Enjoy pancakes, waffles, house-made fruit sauces, crepes, Crème Brûlée French Toast, shrimp & grits, crab benedict, shrimp omelet with lobster cream sauce. Gluten free items.

15 Executive Park Rd. | 843.785.7006 | stellinihhi.com Family owned & operated since 1989! Popular Italian appetizers and entrees from NY & Northern NJ. Delicious pasta, poultry, veal, seafood, beef and lamb all expertly prepared.

20 Executive Park Road | 843.785.6000 studiodining.com Dine while enjoying watching artists paint in the elegant studio. The menu uses the finest regional, natural & organic ingredients.

Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan menu offerings.

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TôRō

2 N Forest Beach Drive, Unit 107 | 843.931.8676 | torohhi.com Latin and Asian inspired fare delivering a blend of culinary creativity and culture to a vibrant, yet casual and innovative atmosphere. Located in Beach City Market near Coligny Plaza.

Truffles

Sea Pines Center | 843.671.6136 | trufflescafe.com Local seafood, Black Angus steaks, baby back ribs, soups, sandwiches, and salads. Specialties include glazed grouper, mango salmon, crab cakes, meatloaf and fried shrimp.

Vine

1 N Forest Beach Drive | 843.686.3900 From marinated octopus to field greens from nearby St. George, the offerings at this intimate bistro are a treat for all. Mediterranean cuisine with a hint of Asian fusion. Reservations.

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BLUFFTON:

Amigos, Bluffton

133 Belfair Town Village | 843.815.8226 Authentic Mexican taqueria, serving delicious food “inspired by Mexican cuisine from Baja, Mexico, to Santa Barbara, California.” Owner Andrew Farbman created Amigos’ famous BBQ Chicken Salad.

British Open Pub

Sheridan Park | 843.815.6736 | britishopenpub.net Pub-style restaurant featuring authentic English food. Excellent signature fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, steak and mushroom pie, and bangers and mash. Wide selection of American appetizers and entrées. Lunch & dinner daily.

Captain Woody's

17 State Of Mind St | 843.757.6222 | captainwoodys.com Grab a seat at the rooftop deck, inside, or just belly up to the bar and enjoy a casual awesome meal. Offering a full lunch and dinner menu, happy hour daily, seasonal live music, and Sunday brunch.

ChowDaddy’s

15 Towne Dr. | 843.757.CHOW(2469) | chowdaddys.com Focusing on buns, bowls, and tacos and great libations. Enjoy salads, sliders, a house ground rib eye burger, or their famous smoked fried chicken. Serving lunch & dinner daily.

Cinco Mexican Grill

102 Buckwalter Pkwy | 843.815.2233 | cincomexgrill.com Authentic Mexican cuisine made from scratch using traditional and modern recipes. Popular dishes include Cinco Bowl, Piña Fajitas, Carnitas, Enchiladas, Chimichangas, Flautas & flan.

Corner Perk Brunch Cafe & Coffee Roasters

1297 May River Road | 843.816.5674 | cornerperk.com Locally-owned Brunch Cafe and coffeehouse that takes pride in it’s house roasted coffee, homemade syrups, and high quality service. Enjoy breakfast wraps, sandwiches, lunch wraps, and salads.

Giuseppi's Pizza & Pasta

25 Bluffton Rd | 843.815.9200 | giuseppispizza.com They take pride in serving excellent, award-winning pizza (since 1984), plus a broad variety of well-prepared pastas, sandwiches, wings, garden fresh salads and more.

Island Bagel & Deli

17 Sherington Dr. | 843.815.5300 | islandbagelanddeli.com New York style boiled bagels made from scratch daily.

16 flavors of bagels, 12 home-made cream cheeses, pastries & breakfast sandwiches. For lunch: specialty hoagies, classic sandwiches & salads.

Olive & Fig

1533 Fording Island Road | 843.707.1934 Olive & Fig provides guests with a unique opportunity to experience authentic Mediterranean cuisine. The menu features Lebanese and Greek dishes alongside traditional Mediterranean fare, and gluten free and vegetarian options.

Truffles

Belfair Towne Village | 843.815.5551 | trufflescafe.com Casual cafe featuring the “freshest and finest of everything!” Fresh local seafood, Black Angus steaks, baby back ribs, homemade soups and garden salads.

Covered patio. Lunch, dinner daily. Full cocktail bar.

SAVANNAH:

The Mansion on Forsyth Park

700 Drayton Street | 912-238-5158 | kesslercollection.com/mansion Featuring 700 Drayton, which offers world-class cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. Breakfast served 7 a.m.-11 a.m. Brunch 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Dinner 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Daily. Bosendorfer Lounge offers cocktails and appetizers complemented by the sounds of a rare Bosendorfer piano. Bosendorfer is open 4 p.m. -11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 4 p.m.-12 a.m.

Friday-Saturday.

Plant Riverside District

400 West River Street | 912-373-9100 | plantriverside.com Offers food and drink with a variety of restaurants, bars and lounges. Features an all-day café, a high-end chophouse, a pizza restaurant, and a riverside bar. Two rooftop bars offer cocktails and live entertainment.

Hours vary.

VISIT US @ HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM

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IIMY PERSPECTIVEII

MP

B E I N V O LV E D I N E D U C A T I O N There has always been a buzz surrounding the beginning of the school year.

As a child I remember getting a list of school supplies, heading to the store and picking out an outfit for the first day of school — an important piece of the back-toschool planning for a little girl.

These are things I still enjoy doing with my own kids.

Supporting education and my love of school spirit started when I was young.

I was always on the student council, president of many clubs and active in organizations, such as the National Honor Society, and the student representative on the school boards in high school.

I continue that work as I watch my children go through our local school system: being asked to join the board of one of our local schools, as an active member of the School Improvement Council for the school district and vice president of the PTA. I truly believe that being involved, as much as you can, helps you get a full understanding of the education our children receive. Not only will children with engaged parents be more likely to earn higher grades, according to the American Psychology Association, but those children will develop greater self-esteem and be better motivated.

A study by the Journal of Education and Practice found that parental support is “associated with a host of positive child outcomes,” noting a “significant and positive correlation” between parental support and self-esteem among adolescents.

A Southwest Educational Development Laboratory project of 51 studies found students with involved parents are more likely to have better social skills; enroll in higher-level school programs; and graduate and go on to

post-secondary education.

I am also a proponent of letting my children try something new. I encourage them to test out a new hobby or join a club that has piqued their interest.

I found a love of dance at a young age. I started in preschool, with the encouragement and support of my parents. That passion helped carry me to college, where I majored in dance. Being involved in your child’s education includes taking an interest in their after-school activities and encouraging them to try different things.

One of the most important aspects of selecting after-school activities is to allow your children to have an input in making those decisions.

I have found that allowing kids to pick and choose has always made for a better outcome.

And having children participate in after-school activities often leads to gains in school.

A recent U.S. Census Bureau report shows that children tend to have higher levels of school engagement (more motivated and attached to their schoolwork) when involved in one or more activities.

The report found that 42 percent of children who took lessons were highly engaged compared to 33 percent of children who did not. Of children who were in a club, 39 percent were highly engaged compared to 34 percent who were not.

High school athletes are more likely to expect to graduate from a four-year college compared to nonathletes, according to the Healthy Sports Index, a product of the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program.

There are many opportunities across the Lowcountry for our children’s education. Being involved in their schooling and giving them an opportunity to engage in activities gives them the best opportunity to succeed.

HAVING CHILDREN PARTICIPATE IN AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES OFTEN LEADS TO GAINS IN SCHOOL.

MEREDITH DIMUZIO Co-publisher meredith@hiltonheadmonthly.com

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