SEPTEMBER 2022//$4.95 BLUFFTON ARTIST CHARLES CASHWELLPROPERTY MANAGEMENT FALL BRIDAL CITYTHE Guide
FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS for Residents of Beaufort and Jasper counties! $1 or less per month for out-of-area hiltonheadmonthly.com/subscriptionsmailings 843-842-6988 | hiltonheadmonthly.com SashaPUBLISHERSSweeney sasha@hiltonheadmonthly.com Meredith DiMuzio meredith@hiltonheadmonthly.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEFAnthonyGarzilli anthony@hiltonheadmonthly.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Rebecca Cashwell cashwell@hiltonheadmonthly.com ARTMadisonDIRECTORElrod madison@hiltonheadmonthly.com GRAPHICAllysonDESIGNERVenrick allyson@hiltonheadmonthly.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Majka Mochnac majka@hiltonheadmonthly.com843-290-9372 Mary Ann Kent maryann@hiltonheadmonthly.com843-384-9390 Cathy Flory cathy@hiltonheadmonthly.com843-384-1538 SUBSCRIPTIONSHeatherEdge heather@hiltonheadmonthly.com PHOTOGRAPHERS: Madison Elrod , Rob Kaufman, Tony Kukulich WRITERS: Amy Bartlett, Clay Bonnyman Evans, Amy Coyne Bredeson, Jessica Farthing, Nina Greenplate, Justin Jarrett, Barry Kaufman, Tony Kukulich, Mark E. Lett, Vickie McIntyre, Dean Rowland, Luana M. Graves Sellars MOnthLY VOICE of the LOWCOUNTRY 4 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
3292 64 ABOUT THE COVERS: Artist Charles Cashwell created the artwork for our covers. Learn more about him on page 92. II SEPTEMBER ISSUE II 6 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM 32 Engaging in Nature Retired educators get kids involved in the outdoors. 52 Property Management A rental property manual that gives you peace of mind. 64 City Guide •Inside:Meet the mayors and media directors. • By the numbers. • History lessons. 92 Painting Passion Charles Cashwell continues to fulfill a dream. 136 Mental Health Advocate Hannah Anderson takes the time to care. 140 Bridal Guide Weddings that inspire.
must reads
114
98
100SPORTS:Riding
146
148
152DINING:Tailgating
8 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM + ISSUETHISIN 10 : At The Helm 12 : Opinion 16 : Photo of the Month 18 : Where in the World 20 : Social Spotlight 22 : News Briefs 34 : Community Connection 38 : On the Move 123 : Real Estate Briefs 164 : Calendar 176 : Last Call contents II SEPTEMBER 2022 II 10046 26NEWS:Protecting the Land Sales tax referendum eyes development management. 30 : Future Plans Beaufort County’s comprehensive plan looks ahead. 36COMMUNITY:MakinganImpact Literacy award honors residents. 41BUSINESS:GettingThings Done Cleland Prep a mainstay in construction. 46 : Thinking of Everything Billy Wood Appliance celebrates 50 years.
158
112
140BRIDAL:Giftof Each
RECOMMENDED
Innovations
140
REAL ESTATE : Market in Transition remains in demand. Other Couple enjoys Coastal Discovery wedding. : Elegant Engagment What’s trending in wedding rings. : Just Married Tying the knot together. at Home Servings for all sports fans. : Game Day Grub Where to watch the action in the Lowcountry. communities that make up the Lowcountry. READS : By the Book Enjoy captivating work. the Waves Alex Vitto displays skills on the board. into Gardening Planting tips as the temperatures dip. : Lucky Jade Here’s how to take care of your plant. : Tech Trends that make life easier.
108HOME:Fall
123
Property
LOWCOUNTRY LIVING 82 : Top Destinations Premier
The community we love features people who love the community back. Joe Distelheim gave back by being a mentor to many. Read about an award named in his honor that’s made an immediate impact.
There is so much to love about the Lowcountry, and it’s not much of a secret anymore: we are in a great place to live, work and play.
Look at our Property Management Guide, which can help you choose a local property management company that can make the whole process a breeze. The sports season is heating up, and there are big games nightly. Enjoy the action at home with tips for the ultimate tailgating experience.Wehopeyou enjoy reading about the Lowcountry as much as we enjoyed putting this month’s magazine together.
Each September we publish our annual City Guide, which offers our readers a chance to learn a little more about the places we love, including a snapshot by the numbers of growth and development.
II AT THE HELM II SASHA MEREDITHSWEENEYDIMUZIO Publishers 10 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM MEREDITH DIMUZIO SASHA SWEENEY dear reader, PAGE CITY64 Guide
Learn a little about our area’s history, and see what’s on the horizon. This issue is our love letter to the Lowcountry. And there’s plenty to love. Our cover this month is designed by accomplished artist Charles Cashwell. Learn more about Cashwell inside this issue, including his artistic passions. As the weather cools, the bridal scene heats up. Get some bridal ideas from our featured wedding, and check out trends in engagement rings.
Hannah Anderson takes time to care for those who need help during times of crisis. Learn about the Bluffton Police Department’s first community mental health advocate. One thing that holds people back from owning rental homes is the management. Why not let the professionals do it?
Last year alone, Lowcountry Legal Volunteers made the following
To help those who may otherwise struggle in silence, Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, a non-profit organization, offers skilled legal services. Our clients are more than just numbers and statistics. They are real people. They are our friends, our neighbors, and our colleagues. They are the friendly cashier at your local grocery store.
Lowcountry Legal Volunteers has been helping the community for more than 20 years. Local attorneys Keri Olivetti and Maureen Coffey began the nonprofit to provide equal access to justice for people in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties living at- or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Since being founded, Lowcountry Legal Volunteers’ dedicated staff and volunteers have assisted generations of families.Themission continues today with an emphasis on providing quality and caring family legal services, zealous defense of eviction matters and guidance in applying for the current rent-assistance money available through the SC Housing Stayplus Program. This includes the drafting and counseling of local individuals who need a simple will and/ or health care power of attorney. This is accomplished with the help of volunteers, grantors and community members whose donations provide access to justice we’re all entitled to. We invite you to be a part of the solution and help us continue to create a lasting impact across the Lowcountry for all those we serve. BY ANNE CAYWOOD
• Assisted more than 200 people during 16 rent-assistance and wills •clinics.Contributed more than 900 volunteer hours by retired attorneys and administrative professionals.
Seven out of 10 low-income households in South Carolina will face a legal problem, according to a recent report from the SC Access to Justice Commission.Whatdothese legal problems look like? A woman in her 30s dealing with custody issues and colleting unpaid child support. A woman in her mid-40s trying desperately to escape an abusive relationship and securing a safe environment for her and herAchildren.hard-working couple with two small children now facing eviction from their home because they’re behind on rent. Here are a few more numbers that illustrate how desperately legal representation is needed for low-income individuals in our service area:
• Closed 144 cases that helped almost 1,000 low-income community members and their families.
II OPINION II
Anne Caywood is Executive Director of Lowcountry Legal Volunteers
12 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM BE PART OF THE SOLUTION
•contributions:Providedmore than $2 million in free legal services.
l etter
• 99.7%: The percentage of people who were unrepresented when they faced eviction from their homes.
• Over 42%: The number of women who face intimate partner violence in their lifetime if they live in South Carolina.
Jessica Farthing is a multi-award-winning freelance writer with work in BBC Travel, Fodor’s, Southern Living, Eat This, Not That, Eating Well, Insider and more. She’s most inspired by food, travel and interesting people. Jessica teaches courses on freelancing, recently at the Pat Conroy Literary Center and the Eastern conference of the Society of American Travel Writers. For her article published by BBC Travel, Jessica won the 2022 Travel Writing Award from the American Society of Journalists and Authors. She plans to publish her first book on freelancing at the end of the year, with on-demand courses available on her website at that Whentime.she isn’t writing, Jessica is on the boat enjoying our Lowcountry lifestyle or riding her (too many) horses. Her three older children and husband, Paul, are her joy in life and accompany Jessica for many of her adventures. She lives in Savannah, Ga.
Correction: In a story in our August issue about animal shelters, dog psychology expert Kevin McHale was incorrectly identified as a doctor.
Narwhal and Jelly, by Ben Canton Waffle-loving Narwhal and his no-nonsense friend, Jelly, live in the ocean together. They don’t have much in common, but both find fun and wonderfully silly adventures in the seas.
The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate Ivan the Gorilla tells his own story in this sweet, poignant tale. Ivan lives in a cage in the Exit 8 Big Top Mall. He is quite content until Ruby, a baby elephant, enters his life. A story of true friendship, art, and hope.
HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COMFRIENDSHIPCELEBRATECHECKITOUT@FARTHINGJESSICA II BEHIND THE SCENES II
EXCLUSIVEONLINE
MEET
JESSICA FARTHING, FEATURED WRITER BY WENDY PURDY
Frog and Toad Together, by Arnold Lobel Frog and Toad have the ultimate friendship. They are always there for each other whatever the circumstances. These books have been a favorite of children for years. They are a timeless reminder of the power of true friendship.
14 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
Books can help children understand the nature of friendship and how everyone can be a good friend in difficult circumstances. Here are some books that give young and older kids insight into love, friendship and fitting in. Be a Friend, by Salina Yoon Dennis is an ordinary boy who expresses himself in extraordinary ways. He feels very alone in his nonverbal world until he meets a girl named Joy. They connect instantly, and Dennis at last feels like he is heard.
16 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
PHOTO MONTHTHEOF Gower snapped a shot of this happy face in the Broad River. PHOTO
HAVE AN INCREDIBLE
TO SHARE? WE’D LOVE TO SEE IT. SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS TO EDITOR @ HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
Jessica
18 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
Left: Eloise and Bob Mason and their grandsons, Will and Tyler, took Monthly on a trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Right: The Michael family in Costa Rica enjoys Monthly magazine.
HAVE YOU TAKEN MONTHLY ON VACATION? WE’D LOVE TO SEE IT. SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS TO EDITOR @ HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
WHERE WORLDTHEIN
1. Hilton Head Island welcomed Avocado Bleu at the grand opening of its second location at 26 Palmetto Bay Road. 2. Bella Duer, bottom left, represented S.C. Yacht Club at the ILCA Youth World Championships in Portugal with Team USA. 3. Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka, right, read a proclamation that celebrated Sand Shark Week. She’s pictured with Carol Weir, senior director of communications at USCB.
20 HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
TO SUBMIT A PHOTO OF YOUR EVENT, EMAIL EDITOR @ HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM 2 3 GET SOCIAL! 1
BLUFFTON POLICE CHIEF RESIGNS
HERITAGE CLASSIC FOUNDATION MAKES $1.6 MILLION CHARITABLE IMPACT
REDUCED SPEED LIMITS PART OF BLUFFTON PLAN
NOT TO SEEK RE-ELECTION, BLUFFTON’S POLICE CHIEF RESIGNED, AND A SUN CITY WOMAN WAS KILLED BY AN ALLIGATOR. HERE’S WHAT MADE THE NEWS THIS PAST MONTH:
HILTONHILTONHEADMONTHLY.COMHEAD’SMAYORDECIDED
Bluffton Town Council approved a resolution that requests the South Carolina Department of Transportation to partner with the town to help reduce speed limits on “certain state-owned roads” in town. The roads included are portions of Bridge and Wharf streets, portions of Red Cedar, Whispering Pine
Heritage Classic Foundation has donated $1.6 million to South Carolina charities this year. The foundation’s total impact since 1987 is $49.1 million, which has gone to educational and charitable initiatives.
SUN CITY WOMAN KILLED IN ALLIGATOR ATTACK
THEIN FERNANDEZ
II LOCAL NEWS II 22 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
MAYOR MCCANN WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION; 4 VYING FOR SEAT Hilton Head Island Mayor John McCann does not plan to seek re-election as mayor in the Nov. 8 election. McCann was elected as mayor in November 2018 and sworn into office in December 2018. JoAnn Orischak, Alan Perry, Thomas Cleary, and Michael Santomauro filed to run for the seat. “It has been a privilege to serve as mayor of Hilton Head Island and represent the residents who live here,” Mayor McCann said.
A woman in Sun City Hilton Head was killed by an alligator Aug. 15, the Beaufort County Coroner’s office said. The body of Nancy Becker, 88, was discovered near the pond in Sun City. Officials believe Becker was gardening near the pond and slipped into the water. The alligator, a 9-foot, 8-inch male, was removed from the pond and euthanized. Officials said there had been 18 alligator-related episodes and five deaths reported in South Carolina since 2000.
Stephenie Price resigned as police chief of the Town of Bluffton. Price’s last day of employment with the Town is expected to be on or before Sept. 15, according to a new release. Captain Scott Chandler has been named interim chief. During her nearly two years with Bluffton Police Department, Price developed a mental health and wellness program and supervised the newly created community mental health advocate position. Price has been chief of police since Oct. 12, 2020.
BLUFFTON TEEN WINS GOLF TOURNAMENT
Bluffton’s Anne Fernandez shot a 4-under par 206 to win the Jimmy Self Invitational hosted by the Palmetto Dunes George Fazio Course. Fernandez won the girls 13-18 division. Fernandez won by 28 shots.
know
HHI AIRPORT SECURES AN ADDITIONAL $11.6 MILLION
24 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM and Pin Oak streets, Jason and Able streets, a portion of 8th Avenue, Shults and Goethe roads, and Hilderbrand Street. The plan is part of the “Pathway and Pedestrian Safety Improvements” initiative.
BLUFFTON PICKLEBALL PLAN TABLED
A proposal for a large pickleball facility in Bluffton was tabled by the Bluffton Planning Commission. The commission cited parking and traffic concerns. The planned 10-acre Lowcountry Pickleball Club would include six indoor courts, six covered outdoor courts and six uncovered outdoor courts.
SUSAN ZELLMAN
SCAM COSTS HHI RESIDENTS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
After 34 years of service, Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue Chief Brad Tadlock announced his retirement, effective Oct. 3. Tadlock arrived on the island in 1988 from Illinois. He served as a firefighter, EMT, station captain and deputy chief of operations. He became fire chief in June 2014.
MOSS CREEK CHARITABLE FUND SEEKS GRANT APPLICATIONS
“ in memoriam
The Moss Creek Charitable Fund is requesting grants for 2022. The deadline is Sept. 15. An application can be downloaded at: localcreek-charitable-fund.https://mosscreek-hiltonhead.com/moss-Lastyearthefundgave15grantstocharities.
Susan Zellman, Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority board member and former chairperson, died Aug 13. Zellman, a Sun City resident, represented Beaufort County on the LRTA Board since 2016. Under her leadership, LRTA and Palmetto Breeze Transit achieved many milestones, including launching two new transportation services (the seasonal Breeze Trolley service on Hilton Head Island and the Bluffton Breeze service in Bluffton), a Palmetto Breeze news release said. ”
A pilot was taken to a trauma center after a plane crashed in Jasper County. The plane had gone missing from air traffic control at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. First responders found the pilot, who was hospitalized.
Hilton Head Island Town Council on Tuesday passed an ordinance allowing lower-speed e-bikes, on the Town’s public pathways. The ordinance requires that safety information regarding the use of all bicycles be given to anyone who rents or purchases a bicycle on Hilton Head Island. For more information, call 843-341-4618.
HILTON HEAD FIRE RESCUE CHIEF PLANS RETIREMENT
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said a Hilton Head Island resident lost almost $130,000 in a scam when she hand-delivered money and also withdrew cash and purchased gift cards. The scammer claimed to be from Amazon and transferred the woman to “CIA Agent William Nelson.” She was told her social security number had been compromised and was involved in payments to foreign nations. She was advised to withdraw all her money for it put into “Federal Protective Custody.” Contact local law enforcement if you believe you might be victim of a scam.
HHI PASSES E-BIKE ORDINANCE
New grants totaling $11.6 million will go toward the Hilton Head Island Airport Terminal Upgrade project. The airport has received $33 million overall. The approximately 43,000-square-foot project will likely begin this winter. Other airport funding includes the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration awarding $275,000 to remodel the control tower. This tower-improvement project will replace outdated equipment with energy-efficient equipment and systems.
PILOT HOSPITALIZED AFTER LOWCOUNTRY PLANE CRASH
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 25
Gender: Male Weight: 13 pounds Breed: Hound Mix Temperament: This little guy knows no strangers. He is very gentle and desires only to be loved and fed. Mama Hope is only 30 pounds, extremely gentle and up for adoption as well.
Age:BOB
ADOPT THEM AT: ROGUE RESCUE & SANCTUARY Located in Bluffton. By appointment only. Donations and foster families also needed. For more information: CALL 843-816-0097 OR GO TO WWW.ROGUERESCUE.ORG.
Of THE
PMONTHETS
7 years old
Age:TUCKER
11 weeks old
Gender: Male Weight: 40 pounds Breed: Hound Mix Temperament: Bob loves to go on rides both in the car and on golf carts. He’s cautious when encountering new things. Totally housebroken. Needs a home with no small children. He loves to be close by his human.
Davis said the velocity of development reminds him of the downside of rapid growth across the TAX REFERENDUM AIMS TO MANAGE DEVELOPMENT
26 HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II LOCAL NEWS II
SALES
BY MARK E. LETT
Protectingprecious land
A penny doesn’t get you much. But put enough pennies together — and maybe, just maybe — you can amass a pile to protect and preserve precious swatches of Lowcountry land. Such is the thinking of Beaufort County Council members asking voters to approve a proposed “Greenspace” sales tax to purchase land, establish conservation easements and limit density andVotersdevelopment.inNovember will decide a referendum that calls for a one-cent sales tax in the county for two years, beginning in May 2023. Officials estimated a penny tax will raise $100 million, with at least 40 percent coming from visitors and tourists, county officials said. Exempted from the tax would be purchases of gas, medicine and groceries.
The path to a tax vote was set by Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, who wrote and sponsored a bill that last spring that won wide approval in the Senate and House. Gov. Henry McMaster signed the bill into law in May. For Davis, the measure speaks to his oftenstated concern about the collision between development and the Lowcountry ecosystem, environment and ambiance. In pressing the county council to put the sales tax on the November ballot, Davis said county trends indicated developed land would increase by more than 150 percent over the next two decades.
The council voted 9-1 for the two-year tax plan, replacing a previously considered plan for a onecent tax for four years. While advancing the greenspace measure, council members left a proposed tax hike for transportation needs by the side of the road. Transportation tax fails An initiative for a one-cent sales tax for transportation failed to advance on a 5-5 vote of the council. If approved as proposed, the measure would have raised an estimated $700 million over 10 years for an array of transportation and mobility projects.
28 HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II LOCAL NEWS II
THE DEVELOPMENT.’‘PROVIDEWOULDMEASURERELIEFTORAPID
“You’re damned if you do, and damned if you don’t,” he said. “We all know we can’t pave our way out of this issue.”
“There is urgency and a window of opportunity,” said Davis.
Council members and other stakeholders said they expect to revisit transportation needs and taxation in the next couple of years.
Sommerville said addressing the transportation issue is essential to manage the county’s cycle of “more people, more roads, more roads, more people.”
The measure would “provide some relief to rapid development,” he said.
Chesapeake Bay area, where he grew up. The midAtlantic region hosts the largest estuary in the United States, where runoff, impaired water quality and stressed ecosystems have emerged. “We have a chance to prevent that sort of fate for this area,” Davis said. Setting aside so-called “greenspace” land is increasingly common in South Carolina, creating parks, scenic paths, historic sites, working farms, and safeguarded rural land along streams and bodies of water. Since 1999, the Beaufort County Rural and Critical Land Preservation Program has completed more than 120 land-protection projects, preserving nearly 30,000 acres. Among the efforts supported by the preservation program: securing land as a buffer to the Marine Corps Air Station, preserving the Mitchelville Community and its history as a post-Civil War freedman village, and various initiatives to protect rural and natural areas throughout the county. County Administrator Eric Greenway said the penny tax for greenspace is an additional tool for managing development andPaulpreservation.Sommerville, vicechairman of the Beaufort County Council, was among the council members voting to place the greenspace tax on the ballot.
A citizens’ committee shaped the transportation plan during more than 12 weeks of meetings, said Dean Moss, chairman of the committee and retired head of the Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority.Revenues from a transportation tax would have been targeted for rural and developed areas of the county, ranging from paving dirt roads to sidewalks and pathways and improvements in traffic control and safety. Project targets were identified throughout the county, stretching from Lady’s Island to Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head and the Jasper County line.The plan envisioned by Moss and the committee called for placing tax revenues into a variety of “buckets” to be allocated for specific transportation projects and needs over the next decade. Managing growth and transportation is among the top challenges facing the county, Moss said.
The comprehensive plan sets priorities around how the county can best accommodate growth, protect the natural environment, support economic development efforts, consider housing affordability, and promote cultural diversity.
To view the plan, visit council/comprehensive-plan/index.htmlwww.beaufortcountysc.gov/
BY HILTON HEAD MONTHLY THE
The comprehensive plan is being created “in a time of change that is challenging the status quo,” according to the county, which cites the challenges of the COVID19 pandemic, more frequent storm events and development pushing into the natural environment. “Fortunately, the citizens and leadership of Beaufort County are determined to address these issues and create the tools needed to overcome current challenges,” the county said. This comprehensive plan contains guidance for the development of the county for the next 10 to 20 years. It outlines goals, policies, and implements strategies which are supported by data and technical analysis, developed with a thorough public review process.
FUTURE II LOCAL NEWS II
Within the past year the Beaufort County Planning Commission finalized “Envision Beaufort County — 2040 County Comprehensive Plan” after 17 months of work. The plan was approved last November and remains a document for the future.
Beaufort County, with input from the community, is planning for the future.
By investing in new public infrastructure, creating incentives for affordable housing, focusing development on land of the highest suitability, and making “hard choices about how to protect the very environmental systems that can help mitigate harm,” future generations will enjoy the quality of life and economic prosperity offered by Beaufort County’s unique landscape and culture, the plan said.
The purpose of the plan is to enable the government officials and citizens to anticipate and constructively deal with growth and change in the community and to encourage the development of a safe, healthy, orderly and distinctive living environment, according to the county.
BEAUFORT COUNTY LOOKING AHEAD WITH 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 30 HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
EYES ON
This plan is a “living” document and is reviewed after five years and updated every 10 years.
II COMMUNITY II inEngagingthenaturalworld STORY AND PHOTO BY TONY KUKULICH BEBE CIFALDI AND KAREN PENALE, FOUNDERS OF WONDERFUN LEARNING OUTDOOR EDUCATION. 32 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
Given WonderFun’s whirlwind start, Cifaldi said they haven’t had the opportunity to develop a longterm plan, but she and Penale both have some ideas including developing relationships with the school systems and purchasing a small bus for field trip transportation.“Theshort-term goal was to get the camps started,” Cifaldi said. “One of the things we want to do is offer a birding class “I Wonder About Birds” and “I Wonder About the Salt Marsh,” based on the salt marsh. That’s next. We haven’t thought past that.”
While the pair were brimming with enthusiasm and ideas, they didn’t have an outlet to put it all into practice. In the spirit of true entrepreneurship, they didn’t wait for an opportunity to come along and find them. Cifaldi and Penale created their own opportunity, and they did it at breakneck speed. “We just came up with this idea at the end of April,” Cifaldi said. “Literally, I decided in April to retire, and we started talking about this in May.”
The plans for the WonderFun camps started with a goal of having 20 students in each session, and the new business owners were concerned that they wouldn’t fill the session, particularly considering their late start. In fact, their first session drew six campers, but an important lesson came to light. “We had six the first time, and our numbers have sustained, which we’re really happy about,” Penale said. “It helped us to know that we had to keep it small. Next year we figure it will be crazy busy because we will be advertising in February. We have had great support from people on Facebook. It’s been crazy, the response of everyone. We know that we have the population.” Outside of the camps, which have included field trips to locations like Honey Horn Plantation, Jarvis Creek Park, Fish Haul Beach and Historic Mitchelville, WonderFun Learning also offers personalized nature experiences for both residents and tourists. They refer to these as backyard field trips. “When visitors come to town, we can meet them at their house and do a beach walk with them and do a presentation about turtles or alligators or shore birds,” Cifaldi said. “We will go to the family and do these backyard field trips. We also do that at the schools. Our schools have beautiful properties. We can show the kids what’s in their own backyard. That’s one of the avenues that we’re pursuing.”
That idea became Hilton Head Island-based WonderFun Learning Outdoor Education, which offers week-long nature camps and field trips for school-aged children. Its mission is to connect students to the natural world by immersing them “in nature to discover, investigate, explore and share with a heightened sense of awareness of the sounds and sights of the Lowcountry.” By the time this past school year finished, WonderFun’s first camp was ready to Penalego.wasn’t exactly planning to retire at the time that Cifaldi did, but she decided to take the leap as “Bebewell.retired, and I said, ‘Let’s go for it,’” Penale added. “I retired, too. We decided to go for it. We knew we could do it. The biggest problem was that we didn’t do it in January, because in February is when all the camps start registering kids.”
A few years ago, with retirement looming in the not-too-distant future, longtime educators Bebe Cifaldi and Karen Penale each took a class that built upon their love of the outdoors without so much as an inkling that it would completely reshape their individual and collective futures.
The master naturalist course offered through the Lowcountry Institute had Cifaldi and Penale thinking about teaching in a different way. Cifaldi, who took the class in 2018, said it completely changed the way that she taught, while Penale began to see education as having less to do with classrooms and more to do with helping students – young and old – learn by engaging with the natural world. “It completely changed my life,” Penale said. “Everything that I’ve done after that, from 2019 till now, has been me trying to figure out a way to get outside, to teach the kids what I learned and have them experience it.”
WonderFun got its start with the retirement of Cifaldi and Penale, but anyone would be hard pressed to call them retired now.
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 33
RETIRED EDUCATORS GETTING KIDS EXCITED ABOUT THE OUTDOORS
“We’re very happy to be here, but we failed retirement,” Penale said with a laugh. “We’re working harder than we have for the past 25 years. This is going to be a good thing. This is something that’s needed. We need our children to get outside.”
CHORAL SOCIETY LAUNCHES 46TH SEASON WITH A NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Karri Kearns, a May River High School math teacher, Laverne Stewart, a language arts teacher at Hilton Head Island Middle School, Kinsey Butler, a Bluffton Middle School band teacher, Justine Hardy, a health science teacher at Battery Creek High School, and Jennifer Lyles, a Coosa Elementary School third-grade teacher were named Beaufort County School District finalists for its 2022-2023 District Teacher of the Year. The final announcement is set for this fall.
UNITED WAY OF THE LOWCOUNTRY PARTNERS WITH SC HOUSING
CYCLING FUNDRAISER IN BLUFFTON TO BENEFIT THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
community connection to qualified area partners to help assist with housing stability. Since the funds were disbursed in July, 492 Beaufort and Jasper households received 848 housing services made available through the ERA Fund. To learn more, visit schousing.com/home/sc-stay-plus or call 1-800-476-0412.
Applications are available for Palmetto Electric Bright Ideas grants, which provide funds for innovative classroom-based projects. Deadline to apply is Sept. 8. In 2021, 50 grants were awarded to teachers totaling $40,365. Since Palmetto Electric launched the program in 2004, teachers in southern Beaufort, Hampton and Jasper counties have received over $640,000 in grants. For more information, email brightideas@ palmetto.coop or call 843-681-0075.
Hardeeville and its Community Transformation Foundation gave grants to local businesses and nonprofits to help those impacted by the COVID19 pandemic. Funds were awarded to six businesses totaling $61,003 and seven nonprofits totaling $126,336, including Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry ($24,167), Lowcountry Legal Volunteers ($14,445), Bluffton Self Help ($15,278), Beaufort-Jasper YMCA of the Lowcountry ($8,000), and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry ($16,112).
II IN THE SPOTLIGHT II TEACHER OF YEAR FINALISTS 34 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
BRIGHT IDEAS TEACHER GRANTS AVAILABLE
A partnership between SC Housing and the United Way Association of South Carolina, United Way of the Lowcountry disbursed $1.25 million in Emergency Rental Assistance Funds
BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NAMES TEACHER OF YEAR FINALISTS
SECOND HELPINGS SEEKS COMMUNITY HELP TO FILL THE FOOD GAP
HARDEEVILLE AWARDS COVID RELIEF GRANTS TO SMALL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS
The Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton will host a cycling fundraising event on Nov. 6 in Bluffton, “Bike Bluffton.” Bike Bluffton is mirrored after Pedal Hilton Head, an event that draws over 600 riders of various abilities and raises over $100,000 for The Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head. There are four ride routes. For more information, visit bikebluffton.org.
The Hilton Head Choral Society will kick off its 46th season with the debut of Choral Society Artistic Director, Dr. Dustin Ousley. “A Night at the Movies,” with full chorus and orchestra, is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at First Presbyterian Church at 540 William Hilton Parkway. Ousley is an assistant professor of Music at Charleston Southern University.
Second Helpings, a nonprofit food rescue organization serving Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties, said the need for food has increased in 2022. Through its annual Share the Bounty fundraiser, Second Helpings is working to provide healthier food. The organization is targeting the purchase of 60,000 pounds of healthy food. To assist, donate online at more23621,sendcom/forms/donate-online.secondhelpings.app.neoncrm.DonorscanalsoachecktoSecondHelpings,POBoxHiltonHeadIsland,SC29925.Learnatsecondhelpingslc.org.
II COMMUNITY II 36 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM BY AMY COYNE BREDESON
CONTINUING TO MAKE AN IMPACT
ZOHRA TEBBAKH
Zohra Tebbakh spoke Arabic and French when she moved to the United States from Morocco. Now she is well on her way to speaking English fluently. Tebbakh has participated in two semesters of ESL classes at Bluffton Self Help’s Hardeeville location. Tebbakh is so dedicated to learning English that she rode a bicycle to class for months, sometimes in the rain. Her husband recently bought her a motor scooter to make the commute a little easier. Tebbakh works as a cashier at Piggly Wiggly in Hardeeville. She plans to continue the ESL classes, earn a GED, become a United States citizen and find a career she loves.“She has the drive, passion and skills to accomplish all these goals,” her tutors, Jackie DeCecco and Kathy Stutesman, wrote in their nomination. “She is always friendly, on time, and willing to help in any way she is able.”
Throughout his 38 years in journalism, Joe Distelheim was a mentor to many. After retiring from his position as editor of The Huntsville (Ala.) Times, he and his wife, Dottie, moved to Hilton Head Island, where Joe continued to impact lives. Distelheim spent more than 10 years volunteering at The Literacy Center, where he taught English as a Second Language classes and tutored students. In December 2020 Joe died at the age of 78, but his impact will live on through a charitable fund of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. The fund provides money for an award given in Joe’s honor. After Joe’s death, his former colleagues established the Joe Distelheim Award for Literacy, which is given annually to four literacy students of Bluffton Self Help, which The Literacy Center merged with in 2021. The first recipients of the award were nominated by volunteer tutors at Bluffton Self Help.
JOE DISTELHEIM AWARD RECOGNIZES
LITERACY STUDENTS
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 37
MARIA MEDINA Maria Medina was a nurse in Puerto Rico before moving to Bluffton three years ago. She started taking ESL classes at Bluffton Self Help so she could work locally as a nurse and be able to help her children with school.
Kathia Salinas moved to Bluffton in 2019 from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, where she worked in dentistry. Now she cleans houses for a living. In order to find a local job in dentistry, Salinas knows she needs to learn English. She also wants to learn the language because her boyfriend and his family speak English.Salinas started taking ESL classes at Bluffton Self Help last year. Her literacy tutor, Marlene Cathcart, said Salinas has always been eager to learn and to help other students. “She also encouraged the other students to try and use English more often,” Cathcart said. During the holidays, Salinas collected toys for an orphanage in Honduras. Salinas hopes to find a job as a dental hygienist, dental assistant or receptionist in a dental clinic.
WHERETO
Medina’s tutors, Mary Lee Stephens and Jeff Fahrner, said she has had to work hard to overcome challenges at home. Medina and her husband have three children, two with special needs. They also have her two adult brothers living with them. “With her steadfast determination, great work ethic, and quiet, low key but friendly presence, we are sure Maria will continue to improve her English and find fulfilling work here in the United States,” her tutors wrote.
KATHIA SALINAS
In February 2020, Gerardo Rivera moved to the U.S. from the Venezuelan town of Araure. He now lives in Bluffton with his wife, Carolina, and their three children. Before moving to the U.S., Rivera owned a printing company. He now works as an electrician for Lighthouse Electric Service. In 2021, Rivera took a beginner-level ESL class with tutor Carolyn McClurg at Bluffton Self Help. McClurg said he never missed class, even when he worked late, and he often drove to class from Beaufort. McClurg said Rivera practices speaking English any chance he gets, using Duolingo to practice before work in the morning. “It was my pleasure to have Gerardo in class and to witness his continual progress,” McClurg wrote in her nomination. “I am confident that he will master the English language and is definitely ready to go to the next level.”
GERARDO RIVERA
1. THE SEA PINES RESORT NAMES PICKLEBALL PRO Mick Ray was named as teaching pickleball pro at The Sea Pines Resort. A graduate of Georgia Southern University, Ray started playing pickleball in 2018, traveling and playing tournaments shortly thereafter. For The Sea Pines Resort, Ray will teach daily lessons, facilitate beginner and advanced clinics, and conduct daily round robins for all levels at the Sea Pines Racquet Club.
Jim Daniel, a local resident with years of business experience, has joined the Meals on Wheels, Bluffton-Hilton Head agency’s board of directors. Daniel and his family have been Hilton Head Island property owners for 20 years, part-time 12 years and full-time the last eight years. Originally from Connecticut, Daniel and his wife are parents of three adult children and nine grandchildren.
3. PALMETTO DUNES OCEANFRONT RESORT ANNOUNCES HIRES, TRANSITIONS
moveonthe
4. HOLISTIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NAMES NEW PRESIDENT Mary L. Olodun, N.D., was named new president at the Hilton Head-Bluffton Holistic Chamber of Commerce. Olodun retired as a disabled veteran with 30 years of service. She received her nursing license in 1991. HCC is an international organization which serves as a bridge to bringing consumers
8. CULTURAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR TAKES NEW POST IN NORTH CAROLINA Jennifer McEwen, who since 2017 was Hilton Head’s director of Cultural Affairs, has joined the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County in North Carolina as its president and CEO. The Town of Hilton Head said McEwen developed and enacted strategies that used arts to expand the creative economy.
5. TOWN OF HILTON HEAD NAMES GENERAL COUNSEL William McAdoo “Mac” Deford, Jr., has been named general counsel (formerly staff attorney) for the Town of Hilton Head Island. Deford will provide legal counsel, advice and services to the town. Deford served as associate general counsel for the Town of Mount Pleasant. He also is a veteran of the United States Coast Guard.
38 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II BUSINESS II
Stephen Arnold has been named general manager of the Palmetto Dunes General Store, Mason Lemon is the new Harbourmaster of Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, Ashly Olson has joined the staff as Palmetto Dunes merchandise manager, Ryan Broce was promoted to Golf Grilles manager, Greg Weppner is the new general manager at Alexander’s, Honey Treacy is assistant restaurant manager at Alexander’s, Eric Filson is the new Robert Trent Jones Golf Course superintendent, and Dana Nicholas has joined the team as Palmetto Dunes property manager.
6. HHI-BLUFFTON CHAMBER ADDS MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Vanessa Capehart was named membership account executive with the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. Originally from Alexandria, Va., she is a graduate of Radford University.
9. NURSE PRACTITIONERS EARN ADVANCED ONCOLOGY CREDENTIALS Dorothy Ferrelli, ANP-BC, Kathleen Reid, ANP-BC, and Kimberly Todd, FNP-C, have earned the Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner credentialCAPEHART
2. MEALS ON WHEELS, BLUFFTON-HILTON HEAD ADDS BOARD MEMBER
7. THE SEABROOK OF HILTON HEAD NAMES ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR AT THE FRASER HEALTH CENTER The Seabrook of Hilton Head named Sammie Jo Manning activities director at The Fraser Health Center. Manning earned her B.A. degree in psychology with a minor in theater from Stetson University. The Fraser is a licensed and Medicare-certified skilled nursing and rehabilitation center.
together with holistic and eco-friendly options, a news release said.
DANIELRAYDEFORD
11. TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ADDS DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 39 from Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation. They are each nurse practitioners at South Carolina Cancer Specialists on Hilton Head Island.
13. TOWN OF HILTON HEAD HIRES DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY
Tom Sunday has joined the Town of Hilton Head Island as its new Director of Technology and Innovation. Sunday provide strategic direction for the town’s Technology and Innovation department. Sunday brings 23 years of experience in the field of technology.
12. NAMM FOUNDATION WELCOMES BOARD OF DIRECTOR
James Simmons, M.D., has joined Jamison Express Care in Port Royal. Dr. Simmons has more than 25 years of experience. He received his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
SIMMONSMANNING
GRETSCH
Dinah Gretsch was named to the NAMM Foundation board of directors in the role of vice chair. Gretsch is executive vice president and CFO of the Savannah-based Gretsch Company, which has a drum factory in Ridgeland, S.C.
Bob Bromage has joined Town of Hilton Head Island as Director of Public Safety. In this newly created role, Bromage will lead development and implementation of town-wide public safety initiatives. Most recently, he served as the public information officer and lead cold case investigator for the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
10. JAMISON EXPRESS CARE WELCOMES DOCTOR
II BUSINESS II
Lowcountry-basedright.
RIGHTTHINGSDOING
“It’s 52 years now. We managed to stay here and have a wonderful, wonderful team due to the values that my father instilled upon me as a young child and a young man. Practice integrity and treat everybody like you want to be treated. That’s really the key to us having a great team. We look at our employees as our teammates.”
STORY AND PHOTOS BY TONY KUKULICH
“We’re fortunate to have been in one place as long as we have,” said Avery Cleland, president and CEO.
It’s difficult to name an industry more susceptible to boom and bust cycles than construction, so when a business in that sector has been successful for more than 50 years, it’s a safe bet that they are doing a lot of things
Cleland Site Prep, Inc. is one such business. The nature of construction site prep work can make it difficult to grasp the company’s reach. It’s not until one starts to note the number of their company trucks on the highway and their signs proliferating across construction sites that it becomes evident how much the company has helped shape the area.
Undeniably, the Cleland management staff has industry knowledge and experience that runs three generations deep, and they pay painstakingly close attention to the financials. But Avery firmly believes that Cleland’s people are what distinguish the company from its competitors. He uses the word ‘wonderful’ a lot when he talks about the team at Cleland…a whole lot.
CLELAND SITE PREP CONTINUES TO BE A MAINSTAY IN CONSTRUCTION
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 41
42 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM HEAVY MACHINERY FROM CLELAND SITE PREP, INC., PREPARES THE LAND FOR CONSTRUCTION AT THE LAKES AT NEW RIVERSIDE IN BLUFFTON. II BUSINESS II
The company’s commitment to its employees is reflected in competitive pay and benefits; the use of the most modern equipment and technologies and a longtime practice of promoting from within the ranks of employees. Those practices have paid dividends in the form of long employee tenures, many of whom have been with Cleland for 20 years or more. Cleland got its start with Gene Cleland, Avery’s father. After a long string of jobs in the construction industry working for others, he had an epiphany.
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 43 “I like our industry and I love our team,” Avery said. “I love our employees. I have the greatest respect for every one of them. That’s the way my father raised me. That’s why we have such a wonderful team. It’s gratifying and satisfying.”
Using a few dump trucks and a single loader, Gene began the business clearing and preparing land for the construction of single-family homes. That was 1970. Avery took over the management of the business in 1986, when there were 25 employees. Today there are about 250 with a market that extends from Charleston to Brunswick, Ga. Currently keeping the company busy are residential development projects including Palmetto Bluff’s Moreland Village and the Four Seasons at Carolina Oaks, both in Bluffton. Beaufort Station, a 200,000-square foot commercial development on Robert Smalls Parkway in Beaufort, is a major commercial project north of the Broad River. Past projects include the course at Congaree Golf Club, hangars at the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and work at the Parris Island Marine Recruit Depot. “They’ve made this thing a huge business,” Gene said. “It’s very gratifying to see what’s happened. They’ve done a super job.” There are several divisions that operate under the umbrella of Cleland Site Prep, doing work in the residential, commercial, government and energy sectors. Cleland Constructors handles the heavy site work. There is also an equipment division and a division that handles land development. “We used to just clear and fill land,” Avery explained. “Now we actually perform all functions for land development. We can work with the engineers to get it permitted. We also clear it, move the excavations. We put in all of the wet utilities – water, sewage and storm drains. We grade it. We put the base on it, the curb,
“One morning I said to myself, ‘If I can help these people make money, I ought to make it for myself,’” Gene explained. “So I told my wife that I was going to go into business for myself. I don’t know if I ran it or it ran me for a while.”
At one point, the company built the buildings, too. They remain licensed to do so, but it is no longer a focus of the business.Avery’s love of the business is clear. He started working for his father while still a child. Many years later, his enthusiasm has not been dampened.
sidewalks. We pave it. We put the grass on it. We’re a turn-key site contractor. We do everything but the buildings.”
“I had worked in the business since I was 6 years old – summer vacations and holidays. I just loved it. I started off picking up roots and working in the shop repairing equipment.”
After a stint at a technical school, Avery realized that he didn’t love the classroom as much as he did working in the family business. Accordingly, he went back to work full time. Shortly thereafter, he met and married Janet.
44 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II BUSINESS II
There’s now another generation of Clelands involved with the business. Daughter Lauren Cleland Niemiec, an attorney, serves as general counsel and runs the real estate division. Son Jared Cleland is a project manager responsible for much of the day-to-day field operations.Averysaid that Cleland Site Prep is well positioned to continue to thrive for at least as long into the future as he’s willing to conjecture. He hinted that some changes to the company are coming, but said the details won’t be fully available for another couple of months.
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 45
THREE GENERATIONS OF CLELANDS: AVERY, GENE AND JARED.
“The intent is to ensure that the company is safe and secure, and our wonderful team will be in place for another 50 years,” he said. “I’ve put a lot of effort over the years to build a team that will carry on for the good of everybody here.”
BY MARK E. LETT |
PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN
THINKINGOFEVERYTHING
The couple turned to the venerable Hilton Head retailer to outfit their home in Leamington in 2001, and returned to Billy Wood when they made a move 13 years ago to Colleton River Plantation.
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 47
Susie and Don Drobny learned a thing or two about buying appliances during 53 years of marriage, living in nine states and two countries — and owning 19 houses.
The Drobnys’ kind words also serve as validation for current owner Brantley King as she guides the company into its second half-century.
BILLY
RETAILERAPPLIANCEWOODHASBEENAGO-TOFOR50YEARS
“We’ve always liked them for quality and service,” said Susie Drobny. “They do a wonderful job installing and they have every appliance you could think of,” added Don, a global business executive and co-founder of Perot Systems Corp. with Texas billionaire H. Ross Perot.
Heartfelt praise from the Drobnys, and others, helps explain how Billy Wood Appliance has survived — and thrived — for 50 years as a go-to retailer and island mainstay. Founded and still operating on Marshland Road, the retailer is an essential stop for Lowcountry homeowners, builders and renovators.
For King, a 1989 graduate of Hilton Head High School, Billy Wood Appliance is a business, a passion, a creative outlet, and a Hilton Head connection to be nurtured and preserved.
BRANTLEY KING HAS OWNED BILLY WOOD APPLIANCE SINCE 2016.
Among the lessons: Count on Billy Wood Appliance for outstanding service and remarkable choices.
48 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II BUSINESS II
After college at Clemson University and a marketing career in the Northeast, King returned to the Lowcountry in search of a business to own and operate. After hearing that Billy Wood Appliance — established by a respected local appliance repairman — was on the market, in 2016 King became the fourth owner in the store’s history. Since then, King and her team at Billy Wood have kept a busyDrawingpace. upon her experience and enthusiasm for cooking and design, King transformed the store at 6 Marshland Road into an appliance showcase. The showroom features an array of products, from ranges to wall ovens, microwave ovens to refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers and specialty items — all displayed with custom cabinets, tailored lighting and luxury countertops. A visit to the store feels like meandering through a freshly remodeled or brand-new home, featuring familiar and upscale specialty brands. In 2019, King added a second location for Billy Wood Appliance — a 5,000-square-foot store at 1223 May River Road in Bluffton. The store’s gleaming showroom features a “living kitchen”
THE BUILDERSDISPLAYED“LIVINGFEATURESSHOWROOMGLEAMINGSTORE’SAKITCHEN”ANDAPPLIANCESTOHELPBUYERSANDENVISIONHOWPRODUCTSWILLFITINNEWANDREDESIGNEDHOMES.
The Bluffton store will host a 50th anniversary celebration from 4-7 p.m., Sept. 22. The public event is expected to include food, cooking demonstrations, music and product giveaways, including a wood-fired pizza oven.
“When I was young, I couldn’t wait to leave,” King said. “Then, I couldn’t wait to get back.”
“I love what I do, and I feel very blessed,” she said.
50 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II BUSINESS II and appliances displayed to help buyers and builders envision how products will fit in new and redesigned homes.
“Shopping in this setting helps people tell what it will be like in their own home,” said King, adding that “there’s always a work in progress” at Billy Wood Appliance.
It’s all part of fulfilling a mission for a Bluffton native who happily returned to a life in the Lowcountry.
The event provides King an opportunity to thank customers and tighten a community connection. King is active in the Hilton Head Area Home Builders Education Foundation and other local charities. Among the groups’ outcomes: college and technical school scholarships and support for trades workers and women.
Guide
SECTIONADVERTISINGSPECIALIIII
MANAGEMENTPROPERTY
Whether your rental property is a vacation villa by the ocean or a home for a family, professional management companies can provide peace of mind.
Owning rental property in the Lowcountry is full of rewards. Chief among them is the opportunity to enjoy your own piece of paradise.
Think about being able to rejuvenate. To reconnect with family friends. To be immersed in the relaxing comforts of our Propertycommunity.owners can see their place as one that creates everlasting memories. But there is also a financial reward. Income from rental activity can help offset taxes and insurance and maintenance expenses. Having an experienced property management company is crucial to making informed decisions. These companies can help ease the burden of property management and any fees are worth it for peace of mind and potential tax benefits. The Lowcountry has expert companies that know how to find the best information about rental candidates and scrutinize the findings. The best property management company can turn your perfect place into a savings haven. Peace of mind. Maximizing rental income. Financial accountability. Worry-free transaction. Marketing savvy. Hiring a property management company will help you continue to enjoy the Lowcountry lifestyle.
II PROPERTY MANAGEMENT II SEPTEMBER 2022 // 55 CONTACT US TODAY TO SEE WHY WE ARE THE ISLAND’S BEST! HERE AT COASTAL VACATION RENTALS, we under stand what makes a vacation home right for our guests. We make it our business to present our vacation rentals to the highest standards that go above and beyond our guest’s expectations. Providing quality homes, cleaned by quality employees, and managed by a wonderful team of staff is what sets us apart from the rest. Our outstanding customer and concierge services are one-of-a-kind and will ensure your guests are well taken care of. Whether you are renting with us or putting your rental in our hands as an owner, you can be sure that you are working with the best. WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT: Locally Owned, Award-Winning Vacation Rental OutstandingCompanyReputation for Excellence Large Team of Caring and Friendly Staff, Cleaners and ExceptionalMaintenanceMarketing of All Properties Designed to Maximize Rental Income Access to All Major Online Travel Agent Services including AirBnb, VRBO, Booking.com and more Incredible Amenity Offerings First Class Marketing & Social Media Cutting Edge Property Management Technology State-of-the-Art Kaba Locks for Guest & Owner Convenience Centrally Located Office by the HHI Circle Unparalleled Vacation Rental Representation 1038 WM. HILTON PKWY., BUILDING C, HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC 29928 // 843.815.7368 // 843.341.3330 COASTALVACATIONSHHI.COM // INFO@COASTALVACATIONSHHI.COM UNPARALLELED VACATION RENTAL REPRESENTATION
62 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 63 19 BOW CIRCLE, SUITE F, HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC 29928 | 843-842-4100 | HELLO@COASTALHOMEANDVILLA.COM | WWW.COASTALHOMEANDVILLA.COMWHYUS? » TRUSTED EXPERIENCE » STRATEGICALLY SMALL » DISCERNIBLY DIFFERENT Entrusting your home to the right property management company should feel natural. Allow our team to introduce you to exceptional property management where your family is a name to us, not just a property address.
Lowcountry
MAGICALAPLACETOLIVE
II CITY GUIDE II 64 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
The Lowcountry is teeming with natural beauty, adventures, history, shopping and fantastic weather. A relaxed pace offers peace of mind and a wonder of possibilities. Hilton Head, Bluffton, fast-growing Hardeeville and Daufuskie Island represent thriving communities that offer award-winning beaches, dinning and accommodations. Why the Lowcountry? Why not? Our area offers almost everything and continues to treat us with new wonders. Our city guides offers a snapshot of all that the Lowcountry offers. Learn about the area’s population growth via the latest census numbers. The mayors provide insight on their municipalities, and the media directors offer perspective on the importance of public information. The guide also provides a refresher on some of the Lowcountry’s history. Delicious food. Perfect weather. Friendly people. Our area offers a chill vibe and a slow pace that make living here the envy of outsiders. ENJOY THE WONDER OF ALL THAT OUR AREA OFFERS
LOVING ~THE~
Residential (Jan. 1-June 30 2022): 320 Residential (Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2021): 1,026 Commercial (Jan. 1-June 30, 2022): 42 Commercial (Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2021): 46 * Bluffton Commercial Building Permits include Multifamily Source: US Census Bureau, Zillow (Median Home Values as of 7/22), World Population Review (Median age/ population), Local towns.
And The Don Ryan Center for Innovation’s new facility at Buckwalter Place Commerce Park is an “incubator for innovation” that supports startups and new companies that could help grow the area’s economy.
NEW BUILDING PERMITS
Bluffton continues to grow, and that growth has led to an influx of projects.
Bluffton BEAUTIFUL
Bluffton’s reputation is growing with its population. Consider some of its recent accolades: Safest city in South Carolina; Best city to raise a family in South Carolina; and ranked among the South’s best small towns.
The New Riverside Barn Park is one of the town’s most ambitious, with a $500,000 grant aiding in support of the proposed large community gathering spot. The plan is for a large open space, perimeter trails and cover 37 acres. The barn, in phase two, will be renovated and turned into a venue forSeveralevents.years ago mayor Lisa Sulka said the project had the potential to be a “Bluffton icon.” Recently completed projects add to Bluffton’s charm. Wright Family Park quickly became a town favorite with its large central lawn and views of the May River. The Martin Family Park, hailed as an “outdoor living room,” is an open space and with benches for community events.
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 65 POPULATION 30,754 SQUARE MILES 54.65 BUSINESSES 4,224 AGE Median Age: 37.5 Over 65: 19% RACE White: 80.7% Black: Hispanic:6.8%13.7%Asian:1.7% INCOME
Even though Bluffton is growing, it is still a small town, with a neighborly feel. You’ll know your neighbors. You’ll enjoy their company and enjoy peace of mind. by
numbersthe
Per Capita: $44,326 Median Household: $85,844 Below Poverty Level: 4.2% EDUCATION High School Diploma: 96.8% College Degree: 46.3% HOUSING Median Rent: $1,761 Median Home Value: $469,648
66 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
II CITY GUIDE II
BLUFFTON’S MAYOR
PHOTO BY ROB KAUFMAN
A WORD WITH LISA SULKA Lisa Sulka was elected mayor of the Town of Bluffton in 2008. Sulka answers questions from Monthly about mobile town halls and upcoming projects.
*Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
4. Is there an aspect of Bluffton’s history that you appreciate but might not be widely known? Since Bluffton’s history was documented, our town has been defined as resilient, selfreliant, and always stepping to the beat of our own drum. Whether it’s wanting to secede from the Union in 1844 or helping our neighbors through Bluffton Self Help or establishing the first economic development organization in our region, these traits have guided us throughout the centuries. As much as we have changed, our community is still unlike any other, and we take deep pride in our uniqueness.
// 67
1. The Town hosts Mobile Town Halls throughout the community. What is the intended impact of these sessions and how has it grown? Bluffton is always welcoming new residents from different parts of the country. Some of them naturally compare Bluffton’s governance to the frame of reference of where they came. Mobile Town Halls are Bluffton’s way of orienting residents to the town and how its local government serves them and operates. Staff members discuss Bluffton’s history, culture, growth management ordinances and contracts and gives a snapshot of where the town is today in terms of its expected growth.
The Bluffton Lutzie 43 Scholarship Fund provides annual scholarships to students who are ambassadors of safe driving habits. This scholarship fund is also supported by the Town’s annual Lutzie 43 5K race.
Enjoying Bluffton, whether I am sitting on a quiet sandbar or kayaking though the tidal creeks, is and always will be my ideal way of relaxing and enjoying Bluffton’s beauty.
5. What is your ideal weekend of relaxation in Bluffton?
SEPTEMBER 2022
3. Through a partnership with the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, Bluffton has established three charitable funds. How will these funds help make a difference? The Bluffton Police Department Benevolence Fund will support the department’s mission, program, services, and outreach program, including its annual Toy Drive. The Town of Bluffton Parks and Public Art Fund supports the development and enhancement of public parks and art.
2. What is an upcoming development project in Bluffton that you are most excited about and why? The New Riverside Barn Park is the public project garnering the most excitement. This 37-acre park is in Bluffton’s fastest growing area. The park will feature the Riverside iconic barn, walking trails, lighting, landscaping, parking and infrastructure for restrooms, water, electricity and so forth.
BY AMY BARTLETT
Debbie Szpanka has been the Town of Bluffton’s communications director since 2013, the first information director in the town’s history. She answers questions from Monthly about the impact of social media and how she relaxes away from the job.
II CITY GUIDE II
PHOTO BY ROB KAUFMAN WITH BLUFFTONDIRECTORCOMMUNICATIONSDEBBIESZPANKA
Q&A~ 68 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
5. Do you have a favorite piece of media or art you’re into? Book on the nightstand, song in the playlist, podcast or TV show streaming? I am a book and Broadway addict. “Jesus and John Wayne” was the best book I read all year. I love books which dissect human behavior, politics, culture, crime. While there many honorable mentions, the television series “Monk” and the 1987 movie “No Way Out” are my all-time favorites, as they both involve criminal and human intrigue while reminding viewers you can’t understand the nuances of a book by just reading the cover.
4. What’s on the horizon for what you’d like to see happen in the future? This year we are mailing out the Town’s inaugural newsletter, so everyone can be informed. Sometimes, high tech isn’t the best tech to reach everyone.
*Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 69
1. Can you share what it was like to become Bluffton’s first media director? Bluffton is a very engaged community, and residents share a deep pride and care for this town, so crystalizing that, the current conversation is an around-theclock position. I adore my position; however, from January 30, 2013 (my first day) to now, I have never had a day to catch up on filing or rearrange my furniture.
2. How have social media and digital communications impacted the city’s ability to get information in the right hands? Social and digital communications absolutely provide more tools in the communications toolbox. There is always a flip side to social media: it provides instantaneous information and misinformation. Hurricane Matthew provided a great example. Misinformation spreads like wildfire. Yet, Mayor Lisa Sulka gave numerous “Facebook Live” updates getting the right information at the right time to the right people so they can make the right decisions, which is always the mission.
3. Can you give us a peek into elements of your work that people might not realize is a part of the job? Due to the Town adding more children’s and community events, my job has expanded to bringing refrigerated, lavender-infused washcloths to keep my colleagues cool at these events. I have also added “hot dog sous chef” to my event duties. The Grill Master, who doubles as a department head during the week, recently gave me mixed reviews for my technique. I have since taken a grilling class at Bluffton’s Culinary Institute of the South.
II CITY GUIDE II Circa 1915 - digital scan of a postcard. Published for W. R. Walton; Jr., Augusta, Georgia by The Albertype Co., Brooklyn, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons is new againOLD TOWNOLD TOWN BY DEAN ROWLAND 70 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 71
The rebuilding of Old Town steadfastly stretched into the 1880s when it became Beaufort County’s economic seat.
and an assortment of other military instruments. A Union gunboat and two transports chugged up the May River on June 4, 1863, in a thick dense mist with infantrymen aboard. That morning, the Union shelled and set ablaze the town of Bluffton, a strategically located military outpost.
The antebellum life in Bluffton, known as the “Heart of the Lowcountry” for its geographic crossroads location, ended that day in mushroom clouds of smoke. Most of the 60 or so dwellings in town became ashes.
The town put on paper in 2006 its Old Town Master Plan, which serves as the guiding path for growth and preservation of the historical district, its maintenance and quality of life.
Another building that survived the siege is The Heyward House on Boundary Street, built in 1841 by enslaved West Africans. It serves as the town’s museum and welcome center.
Newcomers to Bluffton as tourists or residents might think that Old Town hasn’t changed much since it was incorporated in It1852.looks old because it is old. Its charm has not changed, but it has Thechanged.OldTown Bluffton Historic District — stretching west from Burnt Church Road to Verdier Cove Road along the May River Road and the river — was granted National Register Historic District status in 1996. While it’s true that Old Town has retained many of its historic buildings, homes and landmarks, the 1-square-mile village that sits atop the bluffs of the May River went through a period of benign existence before flourishing decades ago as a commercial, cultural and religious center with a decidedly eclectic personality. Until then it was a quick stopover before heading across the bridge to the resort community of Hilton Head. Numerous art and pottery studios, eateries, quirky shops and a farmers’ market line Calhoun Street, the main two-lane road that runs south from Route 46 to the river. Numerous side streets abut Calhoun. The early times of Bluffton’s beginning can be traced to the early 1800s when area plantation owners built homes for their families as summer retreats along the cool, breezy May River. They left behind hot, humid and unhealthy living conditions in the lowland rice and cotton fields.
Cyrus Garvin, a freed slave, built his small cottage on the banks of the river in 1870. It’s a historical footnote as the “Garvin House” (or GarvinGarvey House) is believed to be one of the oldest homes in Bluffton built by a freed slave and still exists today. After some neglect and disrepair, the home was restored by the town using some of the home’s original materials.Old-timers today see a revised, re-invented Old Town Bluffton that has retained its southern small-town hospitality while reaping award after award from international and national travel, leisure and living publications.
BLUFFTON HISTORIC
The calm and contentment of Bluffton and its small group of residents became a political hotbed in 1844 when state congressman Robert Barnwell Rhett addressed about 500 residents under the Big Oak Tree protesting federal taxes and other issues adversely affecting the South. The “separatist” or “Bluffton” movement was the genesis for South Carolina to become the first state to secede from the Union in 1860. That infamous 80-foot-high, 400-year-old oak tree collapsed a few years ago. With the Civil War raging in the 1860s, and the North and South invading each other, Union forces overran Hilton Head and Port Royal by the presence of the battleship USS Wabash
Across the street to the north is The Promenade, a continuation of Calhoun Street that showcases a vibrant mixed-use eightacre-plot of land filled to capacity with restaurants, shops, apartments, parks and boutiques.
Today, 10 antebellum homes in Bluffton still stand as reminders of a storied history. The Church of the Cross, a Bluffton landmark since 1854 and a mighty presence on a bluff along the May River, survived the Union assault.
Church of the Cross DISTRICT TEEMING WITH HISTORY
POPULATION 37,773 SQUARE MILES 41.36 BUSINESSES 11,038***
II CITY GUIDE II 72 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
This is Lowcountry living at its best. Hilton Head Island is home.
HOUSING Median Rent: $1,330 Median Home Value: $761,130
Hilton HeadISLAND
AGE Median Age: 58 Over 65: 36.8% RACE White: 84.5% Black: Hispanic:6.2%13%Asian:0.8%
This year it received proposals to expand workforce and affordable housing options on the island, with a goal to “create a vibrant, well-planned neighborhood” on the Northpointe Tract.
The project already has expanded the runway to 5,000 feet, and plans are in place to upgrade the terminal. The latest projection is for 43,000 more square feet for terminal space, three jet ways for passengers, security upgrades, a new baggage claim and a new grand hall. These projects augment the appeal of the island. It is a great place to unwind and relax and is home to a close-knit community that is always willing to help its neighbors. Hilton Head has a rich history, with the Gullah-Geechee community at its center, and countless activities and marquee events.
INCOME
Per Capita: $60,988 Median Household: $86,171 Below Poverty Level: 6.9% EDUCATION High School Diploma: 93.4% College Degree: 53.9%
The island is full of big projects, including the planned 103-acre mid-island community park. Touted by officials as one of the biggest initiatives in the island’s history, the proposed plans include an open-air market, an interactive water feature, an 18-hole disc golf course and a nature preserve.
To help ease the influx of visitors, the Hilton Head Island Airport is undergoing a multi-year renovation.
Residential (Jan. 1-June 30, 2022): 1,496 Residential (Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2021): 2,578 Commercial (Jan. 1-June 30, 2022): 180 Commercial (Jan. 1-Dec. 31. 2021): 454 for it to become even better
As the island continues to attract tourists, it also attracts more workers. With that in mind, the town is making strides to offer workforce housing.
NEW BUILDING PERMITS
** Hilton Head Residential Building Permits include Multifamily ***Hilton Head Businesses includes licenses required for property rentals Source: US Census Bureau, Zillow (Median Home Values as of 7/22), World Population Review (Median age/population), Local towns. by numbersthe
MAYOR
A WORD WITH JOHN MCCANN
PHOTO BY ROB KAUFMAN HILTONISLAND’SHEAD
John McCann has been mayor of the Town of Hilton Head since 2018. He has decided to not seek another term in the upcoming election. McCann answers questions from Monthly about the Mid-Island Park project and expectations for his favorite baseball team.
II CITY GUIDE II
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 75
2. What are other upcoming development projects on Hilton Head Island that you are most excited about? The enhancements to our corridors including adaptive traffic signals on William Hilton Parkway, Palmetto Bay Road, and Pope Avenue, the redevelopment of Crossings and Chaplin parks, the paving of dirt roads, improvements to our beach parks, and the Town’s partnership to develop workforce and affordable housing are just a few of the many exciting projects on the Island. The Town’s capital investments in public facilities and infrastructure will encourage private redevelopment while area plans and zoning regulations will ensure the projects are appropriate for the scale and aesthetics of the Island.
3. Is there an aspect of Hilton Head Island’s history that you appreciate and might not be widely known? In the Revolutionary War we fought for our independence from Europe: England, France and others, only to later fight for the freedom of the enslaved, and we continue to fight today for the underdog. Freedom does not come easy.
1. The Mid-Island Park project has been touted as one of the island’s biggest initiatives. What do you hope will be the impact of the proposed project? The Mid-Island Park will be more than a park; it will anchor the redevelopment of the Mid-Island Initiative Area. The Mid-Island Initiative Area includes the most economically and socially diverse areas of the island, including several other Townowned properties, five Historic Gullah Neighborhoods, Port Royal Plaza, Sea Turtle Marketplace, Northridge Plaza, Hilton Head Island Airport, the Mitchelville Historic Freedom Park, Fort Howell, and the residential and commercial areas in between. The Town will leverage its investment in the Mid-Island Park to spur redevelopment of the surrounding areas, using the future MidIsland Initiative Area plan as a guide.
5. What makes you confident the New York Yankees will win the World Series? As a longtime fan I’m confident about getting into the playoffs. I wear my Yankee shirt to all Yankee games on TV as I’m not traveling much this year.
4. How confident are you that the Town will continue to make progress on workforce housing plans and why? Developing workforce and affordable housing on Hilton Head Island is the right thing to do. It’s needed and with the leadership of Marc Orlando, our Town Manager, we have a creative plan for the program. We have identified the Town-owned Northpointe tract next to the north-end post office as the ideal location for the first housing venture. There are many people who desire to live in the community where they work. We want to make that happen, so we are in the process of identifying a private development partner who can help us achieve our goal.
*Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
A 45-minute ferry ride up the Intracoastal Waterway whisks visitors back in time: depositing them on Daufuskie — accessible only by boat — and a world away from the trappings of modern-day life.
JOURNEY
76 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
Daufuskie, steeped in history and drenched in natural beauty, is divided into two distinct worlds — the private Haig Point community, where cars are prohibited and residents access top-notch amenities by golf cart or bicycle, and the rest of the island, virtually undisturbed for decades. Native American artifacts are frequently unearthed on the island’s beaches, including arrowheads and pieces of centuries-old pottery.Haig Point is mostly for members only, but the club does rent rooms in the historic Strachan Mansion and the Haig Point Lighthouse (rumored to be “eternally occupied” by Maggie, the former keeper’s daughter).
II CITY GUIDE II
Just a couple of miles across Calibogue Sound from Harbour Town lies Daufuskie Island, a small, largely undeveloped barrier island.
A horseback ride via Daufuskie Island Trail Rides, one of the few places in the country where you can still ride horses on the beach, is always a unique experience. Living here also means a chance to play a BY JUSTIN JARRETT TO Daufuskie Island
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 77
PHOTO BY ROB KAUFMAN round on the club’s renowned Rees Jones signature golfOncourse.weekends during the summer, Freeport is the place to be: It’s where visitors hop off the ferry and gather to eat and drink at the Old Daufuskie Crab Company, dance the day away to live music, play cornhole, and hit the public beach that looks across Calibogue Sound toward Hilton Head. The area near the marina is something of a town center, with a general store, a few cottages for rent, and a handful of Theshops.main mode of transportation is via a golf cart or bike — which are perfect to explore the island. And there’s plenty to explore along Daufuskie’s dirt roads.Anumber of unique galleries dot the island. Most notable among them is the Iron Fish Gallery, where Daufuskie Island resident Chase Allen — who has sold more than $1 million worth of art — produces metalworks in an open-air studio and accepts payments on the honor system when he isn’t present at the gallery. Daufuskie is a haven for art lovers, inlcluding Daufuskie Blues — located in the famed Mary Fields School, where author Pat Conroy taught in the 1960s — where organic indigo harvested on the island is used to create stunning and unique fashions.Theschool is also home to School Grounds Coffee, but if you are looking for something a little stronger the island will oblige. Silver Dew Winery is a great spot for a tasting. There’s the museum inside the old Bloody Point Lighthouse and Daufuskie Island Rum Company, where its locally distilled spirits have been served to visitors from every U.S. state and 64 countries. The distillery is located next to a quaint pond, where visitors sometimes enjoy a picnic lunch. If you’re not the do-it-yourself type, you can book one of a number of tours, including one led by Daufuskie native Sallie Ann Robinson, who was Conroy’s star pupil in “The Water Is Wide.” Life on Daufuskie isn’t for everyone, and its full-time residents have a saying: “We’re all here because we’re not all there.”
The city features the Richard Gray Complex, which includes a football field, dog park, basketball courts and baseball and softball fields. A 35,000-square-foot recreation facility opened last year. The city also opened new, covered basketball courts and the Ju Ju Hutson playground.
The Hardeeville area is also home to the Savannah Wildlife Refuge, which consists of 31,551 acres of freshwater marshes, tidal creeks and bottomland hardwoods. Sergeant Jasper Park offers 132 acres of trails, fishing lakes and is home to a disc golf course.
BY DAVID ANTHONY
Hardeeville WELCOME TO
Per capita: $40,242 Median household: $65,245 Below poverty level: 9% EDUCATION High school diploma: 90.2% College degree: 39.7% HOUSING Median Rent $1,196 Median Home Value: $264,927
Source: US Census Bureau, Zillow (Median Home Values as of 7/22), World Population Review (Median age/population), Local towns. by numbersthe
Hardeeville, with its proximity to Savannah and Hilton Head, is attracting businesses and developers. The city is home to 55-and-older communities Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head, Sun City, and Riverton Pointe. City officials are forecasting several new jobs coming to the area associated with various industrial and commercial business opportunities in and around the city.
INCOME
The City of Hardeeville, founded in 1911, is among the fastest-growing cities in the Lowcountry. Its population estimate grew 120 percent from 2010-2018, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The city’s population is expected to surpass 30,000 people in the next 10 years, officials say. It now encompasses 56 square miles and continues to grow.
II CITY GUIDE II 78 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
Residential (Jan. 1-June 30, 2022): 818 Residential (Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2021): 1,220 Commercial (Jan. 1-June 30, 2022): 49 Commercial (Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2021): 94
NEW BUILDING PERMITS
POPULATION 8,377 SQUARE MILES 56 BUSINESSES 1,063 AGE Median Age: 57.1 Over 65: 39.6% RACE White: 72.6% Black: Hispanic:12.4%21.3%Asian:0%
ARGENT LUMBER COMPANY MADE A MARK ON THE CITY
Narrow Gauge Locomotive No. 7 is forever etched into Hardeeville history with a historical marker, which was erected in 1961. The inscription notes that the locomotive, which is now a featured attraction in Hardeeville, was donated to the city for public display as a “logging and lumbering relic of this area.”
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 79
PHOTO BY MADISON ELROD Historical HARDEEVILLE
BY ANTHONY GARZILLI |
Hardeeville continues to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the Lowcountry as its population estimate enjoyed a 14.3 percent increase from 2020 to 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The city, which grew 120 percent from 2010-2018, features 56 square miles of constant growth. But more than 100 years ago Hardeeville was just a burgeoning municipality. After its founding in 1911, Hardeeville was spurred by Argent Lumber Company, which began business in 1916.Argent opened four railroad engines and the Hardeeville Mill became the leading employer of the city until the late 1950s, when the lumber mill and railroad cars closed, according to the city of Hardeeville’s website. According to the Historic Effingham Society, Argent Lumber began as a singleband mill with two steampowered logging locomotives and 42 cars on seven miles of “narrow-gauge railroad” track west of Hardeeville. Argent created a “network of railroads” throughout the county to bring the lumber from remote tracts, the Historical Marker Database said. From 1916-1948 the sawmill operated cutting pine trees in South Carolina and sawed them into lumber at the Hardeeville sawmill. Argent Lumber’s tenure in Hardeeville ended in the 1950s after it decided to focus on growing and sell timber instead of operating the steam railroad and sawmill, the Historic Effingham Society notes.
Argent Lumber Company’s railroad and sawmill were shut down in 1956, and the planing mill was closed in 1957.Union Camp Corporation, a pulp and paper company and a private owner of timberland in the United States, later purchased the Argent properties, Historical Marker Database said. Decades later, Argent Lumber remains an integral part of the city. Near the old City Hall on Main Street is the Argent train Engine No. 7. No. 7 was donated to the city of Hardeeville after the closing of the Argent Lumber Company. The narrow-gauge train is a rarity and attracts many people from across the nation, the city’s website notes.The wood-burning steam locomotive with a “balloon” smokestack was built by the H.K. Porter Company around 1910. It was used by the Argent Lumber Company to haul timber from the forest to the mill. In 1960 the locomotive was donated to the city for public display as “a testament to the role that the timber and lumber industry played in the economic growth of Hardeeville.”
*Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
4. Congaree Golf Club has brought major golf tournaments to Jasper County. How much of an impact do major events have on the area? The recognition is invaluable. National media brings Jasper County into millions of homes and that potentially gets the attention of potential investors. The local economic benefit for hotels, restaurants and gas stations is significant. And first-time visitors who get a little taste of the area may come back for a longer stay.
2. Hardeeville is embarking on a “Wall of Honor.” What can you tell us about that initiative? Preserving the long history of Hardeeville, and the people who made significant contributions, is important to our Council. There are so many worthy people to remember but to make the wall special we are establishing an application and evaluation process that will qualify those for membership on this wall in our Recreation Center.
II CITY GUIDE II 80 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
1. What major project in Hardeeville are you most excited about and why? I believe the future economic health of the Lowcountry lies in the development of light industry in the Hwy. 17 corridor south of exit 5 (off I-95). Over 13 million square feet of warehousing have been approved by Council, and four buildings are already up. Good-paying jobs are coming to this region and that will raise the quality of life for many families and provide solid funding for our schools.
3. The City of Hardeeville recently mourned the loss of Councilman David Spisso. What was his impact on the community? David’s impact was so pervasive that his loss has left a noticeable gap in our lives. He was always there at events, serving on committees like SoLoCo and Families in Transition, and of course was a vocal participant in every issue. He was a team player, a wise counselor and a good friend.
A WORD WITH HARRY WILLIAMS Harry Williams has been mayor of the City of Hardeeville since 2016. He is chairman of the Southern Low Country advisory board. He answers questions from Monthly about new city projects and preserving Hardeeville’s history.
5. What is your ideal weekend of relaxation in Hardeeville? The great part of this region is the variety of leisure activities. Golf, the beach, nature walks, bike riding, terrific restaurants and boating. There’s also the historic cities of Charleston and Savannah if we want to get away without a long drive. No two weekends have to be exactly alike, except they all are fun.
HARDEEVILLE’S MAYOR
3. Tell us about being named Jasper County Employee of the Year in 2014 and what you gained from that experience. Receiving that award was a great experience and a surprise. It feels so long ago now because of the way we have grown and changed since, when it was only myself and Brandon Sligh. We had an opportunity to make our mark. It is interesting to look back and see how much we have evolved and continue to do so. Streaming and social media were not on the radar at that time for the city. Now, that’s where most people see us first.
Q&A~
BY AMY BARTLETT
*Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Juan Singleton has worked for the City of Hardeeville since 2009. The city’s communications director, with more than 25 years of radio and television broadcast experience, answers questions about his longtime experience and how the position has evolved.
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 81
1. What’s the most rewarding part of your job? Meeting and working with some amazing people, which includes the community – the people who have lived in Hardeeville for generations or those who have recently moved here in the past few years. Being able to give those people information on several different topics about the city is very rewarding.
2. Your position sometimes requires you to be oncamera leading the conversation; what do you like or dislike about that part of the job? One of the reasons I leaned toward journalism is that I’m inquisitive. I find out a lot of information by talking to people. People can be very interesting if you take time to speak with them, especially if it is a topic that they want to discuss. That’s why when I interview people, I tell them, ‘Forget the camera is there and just talk to me.’
5. What do you love to do that is specific to living in the Lowcountry? I am big on backyard events in the fall months. Just sitting around a fire pit on a fall night with the right company can be a great night in the Lowcountry.
WITH DIRECTORCOMMUNICATIONSHARDEEVILLE’SJUANSINGLETON
PHOTO BY ROB KAUFMAN
4. How have digital communications impacted the city’s ability to get information in the right hands? Social media (of which we have at least eight accounts for the city) has opened our reach. Internationally, people can look us up and see what is going on in Hardeeville.
82 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II PARTNERSHIP PROMOTION II
LOWCOUNTRYLIVING
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 83 IF YOU LIVE IN THE LOWCOUNTRY YEAR-ROUND, CHANCES ARE YOUR FRIENDS WHO LIVE ELSEWHERE ARE JEALOUS. THIS AREA’S BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, WORLD-CLASS RESORTS AND WIDE SELECTION OF RESTAURANTS, SHOPPING AND ACTIVITIES MAKE THE LOWCOUNTRY A TOP VACATION DESTINATION, AND A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME. HERE ARE SOME OF THE PREMIER COMMUNITIES THAT MAKE UP THE LOWCOUNTRY.
84 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II LOWCOUNTRY LIVING II
~LOWCOUNTRY LIVING~
II LOWCOUNTRY LIVING II SEPTEMBER 2022 // 85 ACCOLADES: Five Star Platinum Club Distinguished Club Designation America’s Healthiest Club Best Residential Courses North & South Course - Golfweek Top 100 Golf Communities Travel + Leisure Top 100 Premiere Properties Links AMENITIES:Magazine Two Tom Fazio Signature Golf Courses Premier Golf Learning Center Men’s and Women’s Locker Rooms Jeffersonian-style Clubhouse Casual & Fine Dining Venues Day Spa & Fitness Center Indoor & Outdoor Pools Racquet Sports / PickleballDogCourtsPark River Park Community Dock & Outdoor Pavilion Site of 2021 U.S. Women’s Mid ChampionshipAm
BERKELEY HALL Resting on the banks of the Okatie River, the private golf community of Berkeley Hall offers warm, relaxed Lowcountry living with the grandeur and amenities similar to a luxury resort. Not only is Berkeley Hall one of the premier South Carolina golf communities, it’s one of the only residential communities with two Tom Fazio-designed core golf courses, not to mention what might be the best golf learning center in the Southeast. Beyond the Fazio golf courses, the club experience includes a myriad of indoor and outdoor offerings designed for the entire family. And while the amenities are plentiful, Berkeley Hall remains the lowest density private club in the Southeast with an average of 5.3 homesites per hole. Berkeley Hall’s growing community offers the opportunity to discover the home ideally suited for your family and lifestyle. Inspired by distinct Lowcountry architecture and expertly crafted by custom builders, Berkeley Hall homes range from grand estates to intimate cottages and new custom homes, all designed to take in the beauty of its natural setting and open to golf course, parkland and waterfront views. With $5.5 million in new amenities underway, Berkeley Hall’s Phase I of the private community’s master plan features a reimagined Clubhouse, fourseasons veranda with expanded outdoor dining, dining venue renovation, and refinements that reflect a new casual, Lowcountry design. Members enjoy a casual lifestyle centered around a range of social events, culinary excellence, fitness center & day spa, racquet sports, greenway trails, and of course, world class golf. For many, it’s all the aspects of the outdoors, from kayaking to morning rounds of golf and evening sunsets. e beauty of Berkeley Hall’s riverside setting, as well as the ease to create new friendships, draws members from across the country to experience all the Club has to offer. You’re invited to visit Berkeley Hall and discover its gracious amenities and inviting lifestyle, where the dreams are exclusively yours.
BERKELEY HALL CLUB 366 Good Hope Road, Bluffton SC 29909 843.815.8423 // Golf 843.815.8444 // berkeleyhallclub.com
86 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II LOWCOUNTRY LIVING II CLUB ACCOLADES: Golf World Readers’ Choice – One of America’s Top 20 Private Courses Platinum Recognition – Top 15 US Residential Communities Links Magazine – One of America’s 100 Premier Properties Club Leaders Forum – A Platinum Club of America Travel & Leisure Golf – One of America’s Top 100 Golf Communities Golf Week’s Best Courses – Top 100 Residential Golf Courses Distinguished Clubs of America – Emerald ~LOWCOUNTRYDesignationLIVING~
Picture yourself here. At Colleton River Club, you’ll find a place that both soothes the soul, and is bursting with energy. The Lowcountry tidal marshes and moss-draped Live Oaks make a quiet home for the extraordinary wildlife that prospers here. Colleton River Club is a 1,500acre peninsula surrounded by water on three sides and is bordered by an 1,100-acre nature preserve. Our Members find the same balance with ultimate privacy and an incredibly vibrant social, golf and sporting life. Our golf courses are renowned – both of our 18-hole Signature courses exemplify the best of their designers, Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye. Beyond golf, enjoy racket sports, downtime at the pool, time at the fitness center or maybe a massage. Enhanced amenities are under construction with the addition of a new Athletic Center, 8 pickleball courts, 4 bocce courts, 6 new tennis courts and renovations and additions to all levels of the Dye Clubhouse expanding and enhancing dining options. We have over 50 clubs within the Club ranging from kayaking, birding, cooking clubs and more. While time spent inside the gates is fun and fulfilling, we also have easy access to the best of the Lowcountry, just minutes away. We believe that serenity and activity are both key to living richly. We live well here. COLLETON RIVER CLUB 60 Colleton River Drive, Bluffton, SC 29910 843.836.4466 // info@colletonriverclub.comColletonRiverClub.com
II LOWCOUNTRY LIVING II SEPTEMBER 2022 // 87
DATAW ISLAND
36AMENITIES:HolesofGolf, by Tom Fazio (Cotton Dike Course) and Arthur Hills (Morgan River Course) 8 Har-Tru Tennis Courts (half of which are lit for night play) Full Service Marina Croquet Resort-StyleIndoor(TwoCommunityWalkingDogFitnessBoccePickleballLawnsCourtsCenterParkTrailsDockswithKayakLaunches)PoolforLapSwimmingZero-EntryOutdoor Pool (saline; heated and cooled) 24-Hour Manned Security Gate with Concierge-Style Service Yoga Studio Art GardenStudioPlots ~LOWCOUNTRY LIVING~
One of Beaufort County’s hidden gems! This gated lifestyle community is located just outside of Historic Beaufort, away from it all yet close to everything. The community of Dataw Island is built upon the principal that every day is another opportunity to embrace all that life offers. A philanthropic and friendly group, residents of Dataw Island embrace living an active lifestyle both on-island and off. Dataw Island boasts two 18-hole golf courses by architects Tom Fazio and Arthur Hills, Har-Tru tennis courts designated by the USTA as an “Outstanding Tennis Facility,” pickleball, and championship croquet lawns. In addition to the premier sports offerings, members enjoy access to indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service marina, and even some rare finds, like kayak launches, bocce courts, art studio, community garden plots, a free library, and even historic ruins and an interpretive center. Add to this more than 100 clubs and organizations!Ifrelaxation summons in the form of the South Carolina sun, you may enjoy the outdoor pool facility with unparalleled views. Take a 15-minute drive to Hunting Island State Park Beach for a beach unencumbered with development, or take your four-legged companion to the dog park or walk through nature on Oak Island, a maritime forest reserve available exclusively to Dataw Island members. With homes ranging from the $400s to over $1 million and flexible membership plans, those considering relocating to the Lowcountry owe it to themselves to “short list” Dataw Island. DATAW ISLAND 121 Dataw Drive, Beaufort, SC 29920 843.838.3838 // www.dataw.com
88 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II LOWCOUNTRY LIVING II
HAMPTON HALL CLUB 170 Hampton Hall Blvd., Bluffton, SC 29910 843.815.9343 // hamptonhallclubsc.com
PeteAMENITIES:DyeSignature Golf Course Health & Fitness Center Indoor Lap Pool & Hot Tub Spa LakesideServicesPool and Splash Pad BasketballBoccePickleballTennis CasualCommunityGolfPlaygroundCourtClubhouseClubhouseandFineDining Venues BilliardsLibrary Room 20+ member clubs Audubon International Certified ~LOWCOUNTRY LIVING~ SEPTEMBER 2022 // 89
The centerpiece of Hampton Hall’s outdoor activities is the spectacular Pete Dye Signature Golf Course. Designed by the legendary golf architect himself, it offers a brilliantly open design with beautiful, panoramic vistas sure to inspire your best game. Built with precision and artistry, it features six sets of tees and is enhanced by expansive practice facilities and a dedicated Golf Clubhouse.
The state-of-the-art Fitness Center features a 25-meter indoor lap pool, an array of group classes, and a variety of cardio and strength equipment along with personal trainers to assist members in reaching their wellness goals. Tennis and pickleball enthusiasts will appreciate the four Har-Tru courts and two hard-surface courts along with the opportunity to join in leagues, clinics and socials throughout the year. Expanding recreation and social offerings also include new bocce and pickleball courts.At the heart of Hampton Hall stands the 22,000-square foot lakeside Community Clubhouse that serves as a memorable gathering spot. Members attend social events ranging from wine tastings to trivia nights, as well as themed dinners and holiday galas. Neighbors come together for meals, cocktails, a game of billiards, or gather with friends in one of the community’s many clubs. Newcomers quickly find a built-in social circle that makes Hampton Hall stand out as a special place to call home in the Lowcountry.
HAMPTON HALL CLUB is a welcoming private community and club conveniently located in the heart of Bluffton, S.C. The club experience is focused on bringing people together – friends, family, members and guests – and its wealth of on-site amenities blend seamlessly to create a distinctively active lifestyle.
LONG COVE CLUB is the hidden jewel of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Behind the gate, you’ll find a classic lowcountry lifestyle to suit every taste. If you are longing to find a premier island community filled with spectacular homes and warm and friendly people who, like you, have fallen in love with the breathtaking beauty of Hilton Head Island, then we’d just like to say: WelcomeEstablishedhome.in 1981, Long Cove Club is a member-owned private community with 570 properties on over 630 community acres. All property owners are considered Members of the community and can take advantage of our many amenities including Tennis, Pickleball, Bocce Ball, Golf, Marina and the Clubhouse, which is the centerpiece and home of our Community. Yes, Long Cove Club is breathtakingly beautiful, but it’s the people – the warm and caring community of Long Cove Club Members and staff – that truly make the Long Cove Club lifestyle experience so special and unique to the Lowcountry. No matter what you get involved with, there are things to do and friends to meet everywhere you go… and always a smile and wave or two to greet you along the way. The Members also support the extraordinary tradition of giving back through the Long Cove Fund. Since its inception in 2003, the fund has donated over $1.8 million to Lowcountry nonprofits. Discover the unmatched beauty and richness of one of Hilton Head Island’s favorite private communities. You really belong here.
LONG COVE CLUB 399 Long Cove Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 843.686.1070 // www.LongCoveClub.com
~LOWCOUNTRY LIVING~ 90 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
NationallyAMENITIES:acclaimed golf experience with a Pete Dye Signature 18-hole Golf Course, newly renovated practice area and coming in 2022 a state-of-the-art Golf Teaching SportsCenter Center featuring Har-Tru Tennis Courts, Pickleball & Bocce Ball – lighted for nighttime play Certified Clean Marina – Deep Water on the Broad Creek – No slip fees, based on Kayak/Paddleboardavailability Launch & Storage, Complimentary Kayaks for Members Inviting Lowcountry Clubhouse Heated- Saline Jr. Olympic-Size pool Book Exchange featuring over 2,000 titles Dog CommunityPark garden with individual member Playgroundplotswith jungle gym, family picnic area, a basketball court and a large green 24-hourspace manned Security Gate
BY VICKIE MCINTYRE | PHOTOS SUPPLIED
92 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
For some, dreams never die. “All I’ve ever wanted to be is an artist,” confides nationally acclaimed artist Charles Cashwell, who splits residency between Bluffton and Sautee Nacoochee Valley in north Georgia. The spark that ignited Cashwell’s passion occurred at age 9, when he lived in Aiken. Rather shy at the time, Cashwell was so intrigued by a neighbor’s art studio that he boldly knocked on her door and asked if she could teach him to paint.
PaintingPassionFOR
II ARTS II
During a short stint in Charleston he fell in love with the beauty of the Lowcountry, hoping someday he’d return.
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 93
“She would set up a still-life, and we would paint it, learning about composition, values, color theory, and drawing,” he said. “That’s how I paint today, except as you get older, you copy less and paint feelings more.”
CASHWELLCHARLESARTISTFULFILLSLIFELONGDREAM
Because Cashwell’s father was a pastor, the family moved frequently, but Cashwell’s art enthusiasm never wavered.
Those classes proved to be the foundation for an everevolving career in art.
94 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II ARTS II A FEW OF CASHWELL’S FAVORITE SCENES COME FROM THE LOWCOUNTRY AND GEORGIA. Painting locations shown above include surrounding areas of Bluffton, Hilton Head and Atlanta. Media- Oil on Linen.
“I was doing things for free, just to get the experience,” Cashwell said. “Then I did a small painting, and Rebecca took it to her office at the agency she was working at.”
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 95
Most of those clients were connected to Wall Street. Without ever advertising, Cashwell’s portraiture work remained steady throughout the South and Northeast for the next 16 years – until the financial collapse in 2008.
“I was sitting in the Atlanta Airport when I got a call,” says Cashwell, detailing how his clients started canceling their commissions. “You look at it and think ‘that’s a bummer,’ but it gave me a chance to slow down and do what I really wanted to try.”
After attending high school in Charleston, S.C., Cashwell attended the Ringling School of Art & Design in Sarasota, Fla., where he met his future wife, Rebecca. Eventually, they married, moved to Atlanta and started a family. While Rebecca pursued a career in graphic design, Charles became an illustrator for textbooks. But Cashwell had bigger ambitions. He was adept at drawing the figure, so he decided to teach himself how to paint portraits. Part of his tutelage included trips to Hilton Head to visit with Joe Bowler, famous for his magazine illustrations and portraits of notable figures like Rose Kennedy and Julie and David Eisenhower. Bowler had a studio in Sea Pines until his death in 2016.
Once again, he taught himself, mastering the quickness needed to capture a moment in time before the mood and lighting change. His favorite scenes come from the Lowcountry, made more accessible eight years ago when he and his wife purchased a cottage in Moss Creek. “I love the architecture in Old Town Bluffton but the marsh and landscape most of all,” he says. “On the beach there’s one straight line, so I make it about the colors, people and clouds. The marsh, you have all those diagonals and the trees; it’s more interesting.”
A client of Rebecca’s saw it and hired Cashwell to paint a portrait of her daughter. Word spread among that client’s friends, leading to more portrait requests. So thrilled with Cashwell’s talent, one woman not only told all her friends in New York about him, she also arranged for him to fly there for a week to do photograph sittings for half a dozen interested families.
Thus began his foray into Fine Art and Plein Air – a “hoitytoity word,” he laughs, “that means painting outside.”
96 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II ARTS II IT
– CASHWELL
THISTAKENHASMYENTIRECAREERTOGETTOPLACE,ANDITISADREAMCOMETRUE.
When asked about the future, he declares, “More of the same — painting, painting, painting.” See more of his work at cashwellfineart.com
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 97
Carting his little French easel, a box of oil paints, as well as a palette, brushes, and turpentine, Cashwell sets up shop, hoping to depict the “spontaneity” of whatever is in view. “I try to capture that feeling when you glance at something and it catches the corner of your eye,” he says. His impressionistic images have garnered quite a following, earning him invitations and awards from various artLastcommunities.yeartheArt League of Hilton Head awarded him first prize at their national juried art show for his painting, “At the Beach.” Currently, plein air enthusiasts are buzzing about his one-man show at The Boyd Gallery in Newnan, Georgia, that runs throughout September. His Bluffton workshops consistently attract attendees from across the country. But it’s his newest endeavor with Mockingbird Gallery in Bend, Oregon, that has Cashwell’s enthusiasm soaring. The elite gallery now houses Cashwell’s western-themed paintings, inspired by a three-year stay in Taos, New Mexico where he fell in love with the Pueblo people and their land. Just hours after his first collection of paintings arrived, the gallery called to inform him that someone had purchased his most expensive piece. “It has taken my entire career to get to this place, and it is a dream come true,” he says. “The check is nice but knowing someone is moved by what you did – that’s pretty special.”
Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist; the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.” Not so for the 63-year-old Cashwell.
Recommended reads
In her debut novel, Zurenda, a Spartanburg resident, tells a “tender and engaging” coming-of-age story in which “fate takes with one hand and gives with the other.” It is a world where family secrets must stay hidden. The novel explores the power of culture, family, friends, bullies, scars, lovers and two cousins — Adeline (Delia) Green and Ellison (Eli) Winfield — devoted to each other. A shocking secret reveals truths about Eli that Delia never knew. The book earned first place for Best First Book—Fiction in the 2021 Independent Publisher Book Awards.
98 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
The Olivia Callahan series continues after Peresta, a Hilton Head resident, published “The Deadening” last year. “The Rising” finds Callahan having regained her speech, movement and most of the memory she lost after a traumatic brain injury. She is ready to rebuild her life, but her therapist insists she must continue to look back in order to move forward. The only person who can help her recall specifics is her abusive ex-husband, Monty, who is in prison for murder. The thought of talking to Monty “makes her skin crawl,” but she needs to learn more about who she was before the attack.And as the pieces of her life start falling into place, she stumbles across the still-warm body of an old friend who has been murdered, and she learns the killer left evidence behind to implicate her in the murder.
II LOCAL READS II
BELLS FOR ELI, SUSAN BECKHAM ZURENDA
A GOOD BOOK CAN BE ENLIGHTENING, ENTERTAINING AND THOUGHTPROVOKING, AND A BOOK BY A LOCAL AUTHOR OR ONE THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE LOWCOUNTRY IS EVEN BETTER. HERE ARE TITLES WORTH READING.
BY HILTON HEAD MONTHLY THE RISING, KERRY PERESTA
“A Special Place and Time” offers a picture of Palmetto Bluff through those stories and vintage photos.
SEARCH FOR TREASURE, MARY ALICE MONROE AND ANGELA MAY
The Lowcountry during the “Golden Age of America” is highlighted by Hutson, a longtime Bluffton resident. The book weaves family stories from early 20th century Palmetto Bluff to tell an engaging tale. Harvey “Fish” Beach was a young family man who was a gardener at the R.T. Wilson mansion. “Fish” and his family “reveled in the rugged beauty and adventures” of the area where people “often traveled by boat, and more than likely the roads were still dirt.”
A SPECIAL PLACE AND TIME, JUDY HUTSON
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 99
New York Times best-selling author and conservationist Mary Alice Monroe and coauthor Angela May offer a middle-grade adventure novel, a sequel to “The Islanders.” In this charming story that adults will love as much as middle graders, 12-year-old Jake returns to his grandmother’s home on a remote South Carolina coastal island with his father, a wounded soldier dispirited after losing a leg in Afghanistan. Determined to cheer up his father and his Dewees Island summer friends, Lovie and Macon, Jake sets forth on an exciting new mission: “Operation Treasure Hunt.” Jake and his friends learn that real treasure is about far more than what’s in a pirate’s chest. They discover the treasure of a rich father-son relationship, the support of community and true friendship.
| PHOTO SUPPLIED
BY JUSTIN JARRETT
Alex Vitto was born on Hilton Head Island. Raised here. Rooted here. He did all the things a privileged kid growing up at the beach should do — he fished, he surfed, he worked foodButservice.itwasn’t until Vitto left for another island — an archipelago, to be exact — that he found himself and the life he wanted to lead when he came back home. “I moved out to Hawaii for about two years, and my wife’s family owns a surf school on the north shore of Oahu,” Vitto recalls. “I got immersed in the Hawaiian culture.” During his time in the other ocean, Vitto’s life revolved around the sea and the tight-knit culture of Hawaii — you know, Ohana means family. His love for surfing, formed on the oftendisappointing waves off Hilton Head, flourished in a new environment, as did his passion for seafood.Vitto and his wife, Tori, joked about opening a poké bowl restaurant on Hilton Head. Could you imagine?Nearly a decade later, theyAfterdid.returning to Hilton Head, Vitto went back to his roots and worked food service, then tried selling timeshares for a period, then back to the kitchen. In 2018, he saw a space available in Circle Center and made his pitch to the leasing agent, who apparently was ready for a big ol’ bite of Al’spoké.Aloha Kitchen opened in June 2018 and partnered with Chef Robert Colson in February 2020 to open Nood Good Mood Food in Coligny Plaza, adding to the newfound Asian influence on the Lowcountry culinary scene. But it wasn’t just the culinary traditions Vitto picked up on the (other) islands. He also honed his skills on a surfboard as a result of his time working at the Sunset Suratt Surf Academy under local surfing guru Bryan Suratt.
WAVESRIDINGENJOYSALEXHEAD’SHILTONVITTOTHE
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 101 II SPORTS II
Photo by Rob Kaufman
102 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II SPORTS II VITTO SURATTWORKINGASSKILLSHONEDALSOHISONASURFBOARDARESULTOFHISTIMEATTHESUNSETSURFACADEMY
PICK TODAY!YOURUPCOPY Your free guide for the best VACATIONS & RESTAURANTS. Visit us at forkandfun.com. 50+ MENUS | EVENTS | GOLF | THINGS TO DO | FISHING VACATIONS FREE GUIDE RESTAURANTS SUMMER 2022 TOTHELOWCOUNTRY INSIDER GUIDE YOUR
“I was lucky enough to be accepted into that family and let them kind of bring me into the surf school,” Vitto says. “I got to help with lessons for kids and tourists where you had to paddle out about 60 or 100 yards, and my job was to put my toe on someone else’s board and paddle them out. After two summers of that I got in the best shape of my life and that’s when I was really able to throw myself into the sport.” Back at home, the surf left something to be desired, but Vitto reconnected with old pal J.T. Roberts, who owns Forest Beach Surf and Cycle on HHI and had been competing in the Eastern Surfing Association contests on nearby Tybee Island. Roberts invited Vitto to tag along once, and he was registered for the next competition before he left. That was almost four years ago, and he’s been competing ever since.
Life got in the way this year, and Vitto didn’t make enough district events on Tybee Island to qualify for regionals or Easterns, but he plans to make a comeback next season and make another run at nationals.
“I wish I had more time to train,” Vitto says. “Running three businesses and having a family is challenging. I’m definitely not in the best shape I’ve ever been right now. But I want to get back out there. Watching my kids and family compete and be a part of this, having them get involved and seeing them enjoy it and having fun out there with our friends and family is the best.”
Combining the best of two islands he loves, Alex Vitto has found himself right here at home.
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 103
In September 2021, the Hilton Head duo dominated the local district and put on a show at the Southeast Regionals to qualify for the Eastern Championships, where Roberts won the men’s longboard division and Vitto placed third in the open stand-up paddleboard division.
If you are feeling particularly adventurous, and willing to spend a majority of the day surrounded by water, inshore and offshore fishing can provide some real thrills. Party boats accommodate large numbers of passengers, but private charters are also available (usually for groups less than 6). Half and full day trips are typical. These trips generally target fish that are specific to the season, and can include marlin, tuna and cobia. Most offer specialized shark fishing trips all year. Your vessel may travel many miles out to sea, or stick to the inshore waterways.
LICENSES AND REGULATIONS
TIPS LOWCOUNTRYFORFISHING II SPORTS II
SPECIAL TO HILTON HEAD MONTHLY
Fishing in South Carolina law requires that all anglers over the age of 16 have a state fishing license to fish from the surf or water banks. A 14 day license is $5 for residents and $11 for nonresidents. Commercial fishing boats provide all their passengers with licenses. Private plantations and resorts usually restrict fishing to owners and guests, and each is subject to its own set of rules. For more information, go to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources homepage, www.dnr.sc.gov.
REEL ‘EM IN
104 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
LAGOON FISHING
Most of the lagoons on Hilton Head, and many in Bluffton are brackish, meaning they are both fresh and salt water. Don’t let the calm waters fool you; fish can grow to enormous sizes (red drum can weigh more than 50 pounds). Other fish caught in the lagoons include tarpon, striped bass, black drum and the occasional blue fish. Live bait such as shrimp and finger mullet are your best bets, but they are usually hard to come by unless you catch your own or are fishing off of a private charter boat. Spinning and top water lures fished with a lightweight spin rod are another popular option.
SURF FISHING
There are a lot of junk fish (skates, rays, small sharks) in the Carolina surf, which can be thrilling to catch, but frustrating for those in pursuit of game fish. Red drum, kingfish, and flounder are some of the more prized fish that can be caught. Squid strips, minnows and bunker chunks are the most common types of bait used in the surf. They can be purchased at any tackle shop along with 2- to 3-ounce sinkers to combat the rough water. Don’t feel like you have to cast halfway to the horizon to catch fish, some of the biggest can be taken right out of the breaking waves. The best times to surf fish are early mornings and evenings, when the beach crowds have subsided and the fish are most active.
INSHORE & OFFSHORE FISHING
Fishing is a year-round activity in the Lowcountry. For those that want to keep their feet on the land, lagoon and surf fishing are popular choices. For those looking for a bit more adventure, inshore and offshore fishing may be the ticket.
FALLINTO
BY BARRY KAUFMAN If recent real estate trends are any indication, there are quite a few of you out there who are spending your first fall in the Lowcountry. As such, you probably have quite a few questions about planting a fall garden here in hardiness Zone 8. The good news is, you’ve started at just the right time. Summer gardening may be the peak of outdoor living in the north, but ask anyone around here and they’ll tell you that fall is when a Lowcountry garden truly takes off. The temperatures are more manageable, the bugs are a little less feisty and the climate is right for creating some magic in the garden.
You might be tempted to try the “spaghetti on the wall” method to see what might take off in your particular conditions, but Rose says a more focused approach will yield better results, particularly when growing fruits and vegetables.
“A lot of people overextend and plant a little of this and a little of that,” she said. “But it’s probably a good idea to stay small and focus on things your family enjoys and you’re going to be able to grow in that season.”
DO YOUR RESEARCH
To help you get the most out of your fall garden, we asked Laura Lee Rose with Clemson University’s Extension Service to pick a few of her favorite tips for fall.
The fall growing season is particularly bountiful in the Lowcountry, letting you plant a wealth of veggies from seed including squash, cucumbers and a variety of leafy greens. But the first order of business should be having your soil tested. “Doing a soil test is something we always recommend, making sure the Ph is right,” she said. For most vegetable crops Rose rec ommends a Ph between 6.5 and 7. For certain plants like blueber ries and potatoes, a more acidic soil with a Ph of closer to 5.5 will work better. YOUR GREEN THUMB READY AS TEMPERATURES DIP
II HOME II KEEP
KNOW YOUR SOIL
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 109
SKIP THE FERTILIZER
SET DOWN ROOTS FOR WOODY FOLIAGE
Another myth of northern gardening that many will hang onto long after they’ve been transplanted to the South is that your lawn and shrubs need a good fall fer tilizing.“Wedon’t do that with centipede (grass). We want it to go dormant,” said Rose. “Fertilizing now can cause all kinds of problems with disease and pests. It’s a good time to test your soil and add some lime if you need to.” Get it from the experts: The $6 fee for a soil test from Clemson’s Extension Service might just be the best deal in town, but it’s not the only way the office helps local gardeners. To find out more about keeping your garden green through fall, stop by their offices in the Beaufort County Government Annex on Hilton Head Island at 539 William Hilton Parkway. From 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Wednesday, master gardeners with Clemson’s Extension Service will be on hand leading clinics all fall. Not only can they test your soil, but they can also help identify plants and insects and share their secrets for a verdant autumn garden.
Those of us coming from northern climates may still cling to the cool-weather credo that woody trees and shrubs go into the ground in the spring, getting a boost from the growing season that helps them set down strong, sturdy roots. That might work up north, but down here in the South our trees, like our college football fans, can’t wait for fall. “The research shows that they they’re doing a bet ter job of establishing roots during the fall and winter without the stress of heat and losing water through their leaves,” said Rose. She also recommends planting perennials during fall, as the cooler temps will help them establish roots much like woody specimens. And give everything a healthy covering of mulch to help moderate soil tem perature, deter weeds and retain moisture.
112 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II HOME II
LUCKYJADE
Don’t miss out. Contact your ad rep today!
OF THE LOWCOUNTRY
LEADING MEN
WATER
TEMPERATURE With ideal daytime temperature requirements ranging between 65-75 degrees, jade is a perfect plant to thrive in air-conditioned homes and offices.
FERTILIZING
If you are looking for an easy-to-care for plant for your home or office consider the crassula ovata — or as it’s more commonly called, jade. While jade plants are considered to be symbols of good luck, you won’t need luck to learn how to care and maintain your jade plant. Water, light, temperature and soil are the four main factors when growing most plants, and the jade plant’s needs are simple to learn.
Augment the nutrients in your plant’s soil twice a year by watering it with a water-soluble fertilizer. Be sure to water your plant with plain water first. Fertilizing your plant when the soil is dry will damage its roots.
Full sunlight is the key to making sure your jade plant will grow properly. Without proper sunlight, the plant may become stunted. Place your plant in a south- or west-facing window where it will receive a minimum of four hours of sun light per day.
COMING THIS OCTOBER
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 113
SUNLIGHT
Jade plants don’t like it too wet or too dry, so you won’t want to water your plant too often or let it dry out completely. This doesn’t mean jade plants need to be watered on a schedule. Simply water them when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Soil should be moist but not wet.
Innovations in technology continue to evolve. There are many new gadgets that are designed to make your life a bit easier and offer peace of mind. Here are some top choices.
TECHHOMEHUB
Puppy love from all angles! This camera offers a rotatingview, 360-degree perspective with enhanced night vision. The auto dog tracking automatically rotates to track your pets as they move around the room. Night vision will also automatically kick on. There’s also a feature to toss your dog some treats from the device. Starts at $189.
114 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
Emergencies happen when you are away from home. This device offers some peace of mind with two-in-one protection from First Alert that includes a sensor for smoke- and carbonmonoxide detection. The device sends a notification to your phone and identifies the type of danger (smoke or carbon monoxide) and the location. This is an Alexa-enabled alarm that is compatible with the Apple HomeKit. Starts at $119.
ONELINK SMOKE + CO ALARM
TRENDING INNOVATIONS TO HELP MAKE LIFE EASIER BY HILTON HEAD MONTHLY
FURBO 360° DOG CAMERA
116 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II HOME II
JUNE INTELLIGENT OVEN
DTV+ KOHLER SHOWER SYSTEM
Want to not only sing in the shower but also listen to great music? This DTV+ system is Kohler’s “most advanced showering system.” Using a touchscreen the system allows users to control shower outlets, audio output, steam and lighting. It includes 14 different languages. Don’t worry about spending too much time in the shower: the system includes a duration/countdown timer. Each aspect of the experience is customizable. Starts at $1,245.
NANOLEAF COLOR-CHANGING LIGHT PANELS
Add a dash of color to your home and create your own look with these innovative panels. Choose from more than 16 million colors. Have fun with music visualizers: lights move to the beat. The panels respond to your touch; change brightness or scenes with one tap. It is compatible with Apple HomeKit. Starts at $179.
SMARTCLEAN VISION.5 EYEWEAR ULTRASONIC CLEANER
A portable device that uses “ultrasonic vibrations” to help clean grease and dirt from glasses. Shock waves in the water remove dirt and dust. It’s a quick process, with glasses cleaned in less than three minutes. Starts at $80.
With three options (standard, premium, plus) the June Ovens can combine 12 appliances into one. The premium version is equipped to air-fry, grill, stone-fire, and broil, among many options. Make pizza in the oven or slow-cook a savory meal. The device uses a touchscreen. Use the app on your phone to adjust temperatures and times. Starts at $849.
118 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II HOME II
Polaris offers many different options, but the essentials are clear: These are “high-performing” automatic pool cleaners that minimize energy consumption. The products run on a ground-fault circuit interrupter GFCI outlet. Control the device (including cleaning modes) by tapping on a separate control box. Debris is collected in the cleaner’s internal filter canister. Some units offer control through an app. Starts at $899
POLARIS POOL CLEANER ROBOT
The latest in charging is the Drop Magnetic Wireless Charger. It snaps magnetically into place. A “non-slip metal base” adds grip. Keeps a charge through most smart-phone cases. Starts at $70
NATIVE UNION DOCK WIRELESS CHARGING
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 119
READERS’CVOTENOMINATEAWARDSHOICESEPT15-3OOCT.1-152O22 VISIT HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM TO NOMINATE AND VOTE! *Vote from the top 12 nominees in each category
The cost of tuition, fees, room and board at a four-year college have increased by 49.5% over the last two decades, after adjusting for inflation, the report said.
WEICHERT REALTORS HIRES 2 AGENTS
HILTON-HEAD BLUFFTON AMONG BEST FOR STUDENT RENTERS
Today, on average for both public and private institutions, the total cost to attend a four-year school is $29,033. As housing costs continue to rise, that figure is expected to grow.
Collins Group Realty’s 2022 Community Results Project teamed with Lowcountry Trash Heroes to promote stewardship for the rivers, marshes, beaches, ocean and land. The CRP has helped the cleanup crew with a new logo, promotional video, volunteer T-shirts and literature for how to organize a litter sweep. The Lowcountry Trash Heroes is a non-profit organization led by a few local volunteers.
THEIN
A new study by Porch, an online homeservice company, looking at the most affordable U.S. locations for student renters says student renters in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton metro area pay an average annual total of $9,064 for offcampus room and board, compared to the national average of $11,327.
COLLINS GROUP REALTY PARTNERS WITH LOWCOUNTRY TRASH HEROES
AREA INVENTORY LEVELS RISE
Janis Stewart has joined Century 21 Diamond Realty as an agent. Stewart is a South Carolina native who has lived and worked on Hilton Head Island for more than 30 years. She has worked for top residential builders and has extensive experience navigating clients through the home-buying process.
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 121 II REAL ESTATE NEWS II
According to the July Housing Supply Overview from the Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors from August 2021 to July 2022, pending sales in the Hilton Head region were down 22.4 percent. The price range with the largest gain in sales was the $375,001 to $650,000 range, which increased 1.1 percent.Theoverall median sales price was up 17.3 percent to $460,500. The property type with the largest price gain was the
CENTURY 21 DIAMOND REALTY ADDS AGENT
Terri Cucinotta and Jennifer Burns Hill have been hired at Weichert Realtors as agents.Cucinotta, who will work out of the Sun City office, has more than 30 years of real estate experience in southern New Jersey. She has earned designations during her career including a certified residential specialist, military relocation specialist and senior real estate specialist. Burns Hill, who will work out of the Bluffton office, has more than 20 years of customer service experience. She was born and raised in New Jersey and relocated to Ridgeland in 2012.
condos/villas segment, where prices increased 23.0 percent to $375,000. Market-wide inventory levels were up 30.6 percent. The property type that gained the most inventory was the single-family segment, which increased 32.6 percent.
know
COLLINS GROUPHILL STEWARTCUCINOTTA
“Properties that need renovation are not moving as quickly as those that are turnkey. Buyers for the first time in a long time are negotiating with conditions in their contract like inspections and financing contingencies,” she said.
Waterfront homes, whether ocean or deep well, will never lose their luster in the market; but for all the others, pricing and condition will determine if they sink or swim in the eyes of potential buyers.
“Combine that with the stock market dropping 30 percent, and people don’t feel quite as wealthy as they did which could cause them to delay their purchase.” she said.It’s still a sellers’ market but nothing like recent history before and during the pandemic.
One constant in the market is that homes selling for $350,000 or less in Bluffton and $500,000 or less on Hilton Head are clear of choppy waters in the market. The crystal ball might be a little hazy now, but those who remember the 2008-09 recession believe another recovery, if not as dramatic, is just around the river bend. BY DEAN ROWLAND
“For the last couple years, we were in a super strong sellers’ market, meaning someone would come on the market on a Saturday and have five or six offers over list price by Monday,” said Saba, who joined sales forces with Tristan O’Grady to form COAST Professionals earlier this year with a staff of 15. “It’s still a sellers’ market because there’s less inventory than buyers’ demand,” he said. Less inventory will still favor the sellers. “The property might sit on the market a little longer, and we might see some price drops and it’s not necessarily a negative thing. Sellers need to get their properties in a position to sell.”
TRANSITIONINGMARKET
If homes are overpriced and the inventory is low, then sales will be down.
Year-to-date data from 2021 through June 2022 compiled by the Hilton Head Association of Realtors shows that new listings, pending sales, closed sales and days on market are down.
“People see the news and it’s all doom and gloom, right, but it’s really not the case at all,” said Rick Saba, of COAST Real Estate Professionals brokered by eXp Realty.“The public perception here is that the market is tanking or really slowing...It’s simply not the case from every price point,” he said. “We’re in what’s called a transitioning market.” There’s a shifting and rebalancing of the market between seller and buyer, a natural flow of periodic market movements with several confluences at work.
II REAL ESTATE II SEPTEMBER 2022 // 123
The median sales price in the Lowcountry spiked 28.7 percent through June 2022 over the previous June to $514,846. The average sales price jumped 19.8 percent to $780,346, and the inventory of homes rose 23.8 percent to 868, while the months’ supply of inventory topped 60 percent to 1.6. “We understand that with (interest) rates rising, we’re going to lose some buyers to affordability issues,” Herman said. “So right now their payments are going to be twice as much. They’re not 3 (percent); they’re 6 now.
While the inventory of homes for sale and the monthly supply of inventory have both risen year over year, a typical stable market sits at six months’ inventory supply. The market has ground to make up before that happens.
However, median sales price, average sales price, inventory of homes for sale and months’ supply of inventory are all up year over year.
REAL ESTATE SEES SHIFTS, REBALANCING AND PENT-UP DEMAND
“When I sit down with buyers and sellers about the market, I explain that we definitely have felt a slowdown, softening a bit,” said broker Becky Herman with Herman and Davis Properties, of Charter One Realty. “But yet you still have this pent-up demand of people that want to own property here,” she said. “If a property is priced correctly, they’ll jump on it, especially if it’s the best deal they’ve seen in a year or two.”
136 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II HEALTH II
EVANS
PHOTO BY MADISON ELROD
BY CLAY BONNYMAN
TAKING THE TIME CARETO MENTALANDERSONHANNAHHIREDASHEALTHADVOCATEATBLUFFTONPD
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 137
But Anderson wasn’t content to sit at her desk waiting for emails. She was soon co-responding to calls with officers on request, sporting a tan tactical vest prominently displaying her title.
“Our officers really care about what happens to people after they leave the call. But they don’t really have time to care,” says Hannah Anderson, 28, who was hired as the Bluffton Police Department’s first Community Mental Health Advocate in November. “I see myself as that person who does have the time to care. I am a beacon of hope for officers. Instead of, ‘Well, good luck with that,’ they can bring me in.”
138 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II HEALTH II
With that in mind, communities across the United States have over the past three decades launched collaborations between police and mental-health advocates that have reduced the use of force and injuries to both officers and citizens in precarious situations, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. But few police departments have resources to help people and families in distress after a call. Now, in a first for South Carolina, the Town of Bluffton has created a position to do just that.
“I feel like there is no communication between law enforcement and mental-health providers. I’m trying to bridge that gap,” she says. “The whole point is to prevent something like that happening again.”
Law-enforcement officers potentially put their lives in jeopardy every time they make a call. Encounters with a person having a mental-health crisis can be particularly complex, time-consuming and fraught with potential for tragic misunderstanding.
When officers by necessity step out, Anderson steps in.
“Someone calls 911, there is a crisis. But that only lasts so long, and attention to the root causes, the things someone needs help with after the crisis — we can direct our citizens to available resources they may not know exist,” says Police Chief Stephenie Price, who has stressed the importance of mental-health issues since coming aboard in October 2020. “That is exactly what HannahAndersondoes.”has enthusiastically created the position from the ground up. When she arrived in November, it was mostly case management: Officers would send an email alerting her to a situation, and she would follow up with a call to see if a person or family wanted help finding additional resources.
“I make it clear, I am not a licensed clinician, I am not the resource. But I can get them in touch with resources,” she says.
For example, she recently visited a person with mental illness in jail following their arrest in a high-profile incident. She helped them create a post-release plan of action and reached out to their mental-health provider to apprise them of the situation.
I MAKE IT CLEAR, I AM NOT A
THECLINICIAN,LICENSEDIAMNOTRESOURCE.BUTICANGETTHEMINTOUCHWITHRESOURCES.
Ten months into the job, she joins patrol officers for two full-shift “ride-alongs” every week, which has given her insight into the challenges of the job. She’s also certified in Crisis Intervention Training and the department is paying for her to become a CIT instructor in the fall, which will allow her to provide in-house training.
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 139
And, she says, officers quickly dispelled her early jitters over whether they would let her into their tightknit“Theyworld.welcomed me with open arms and continue to make me feel at home,” she says. “I keep telling them, ‘You guys have me until I retire.’”
“Hannah doesn’t just have the necessary skills, knowledge and ability. She has a lot of vision and foresight,” Price says. “She does whatever it takes to help the people and that’s exactly what we’re looking for.”
“It’s (the officers’) show. I’m just there for help,” says Anderson, who focused on forensic — e.g. criminal — psychology for her master’s degree. “Sometimes it helps to see everything in person or provide resources on the scene, give them my business card.”
With more than 125 calls and 300-plus hours of ride-alongs under her belt, Anderson has built a solid foundation for the department’s fledgling mental-health program. Now she’s excited about plans to expand, including the planned hiring of a mental-health officer “to kind of be my sworn counterpart so we can go together onShecalls.”wasn’t sure what to expect, but says citizens have been grateful to have someone reach out following a traumatic incident to point them toward resources and answer their questions. “If I don’t know the answer, I will find it for you!” she promises.
making Memories
II BRIDAL II //
BY JESSICA FARTHING PHOTOS BY CHLOE GIANCOLA enjoys memorable
EVERYTHING CLICKED
Hannah and Carl Casalbore met in the summer of 2018, a chance encounter when Carl was visiting friends at the same apartment complex. He caught Hannah’s eye while she lounged at the pool watching him play with some children. She had the idea the kids belonged to the couple near him, so she struck up a Beforeconversation.sheeven approached, Carl’s friend had already suggested that he talk to Hannah.
//
Couple
Coastal Discovery Museum wedding SEPTEMBER 2022 // 141
|
“It was excellent advice,” Carl said. “Fast forward and we’re married.” The day stretched into a dinner date that night and a meetup for hiking shortly after. Hannah loved how respectful Carl was and he enjoyed her humor. They had a ton in common and somehow just clicked into each other’s lives like puzzle pieces.
II BRIDAL II 142 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 143
The couple moved to a rural piece of land in North Carolina, making time to sit together on the porch at the end of the day and watch the sunset. One early evening, when the October sun was peeking through the clouds, Carl asked Hannah to step outside. On the porch was a jewelry container, a gorgeous box that Hannah thought was a gift. Instead, the drawer held a ring, and Carl proposed at Theysunset.wanted a small wedding with just immediate family and special friends. They didn’t rush the process, being engaged during COVID. When the restrictions started easing, Hannah and Carl chose Hilton Head for the wedding. “Logistically, we couldn’t have the wedding at our home in North Carolina. Hilton Head has also grown to be home to me, so why not have it there?” Hannah said.Carl’s family vacationed on Hilton Head Island for years and his parents finally bought a second home in the area. While he was finishing up school, he lived in that house on the island. Those connections helped the couple make their decision for the perfect destination wedding.Hannah saw the Coastal Discovery Museum online and fell in love with the location. Robin Swift, the Vice President of Marketing & Development for the museum, helped them plan the event along with Signature Catering & Events coordinator, Tracey Mancini. Hannah loved their warmth, “They made us feel like family and were so open to my vision.” When everyone traveled to town for the event, the weather was horrible; rain forecasted every day. Just before the rehearsal dinner, the skies cleared in beautiful Lowcountry fashion until the end of the ceremony.Thebride was gorgeous in her gown from Dress Savvy Bride in Charlotte, N.C., carrying the simple, elegant bouquet made by the groom’s sister, Alison Mihkjian.Witha few words from officiant David Leininger with A Wedding in Paradise, the couple was ready to trade heirloom rings. Quinn’s Diamond Jewelers and Heritage Fine Jewelry combined efforts to resize Carl’s grandparents’ wedding rings. “We wanted to keep them as a pair; they were married 49 years,” Carl said. After pictures by photographer Chloe Giancola in front of the sunset over the marsh, the wedding guests attended the reception at Dockside at Skull Creek, feasting on ribeye, chicken, scallops and shrimp and grits. The tables were decorated simply, making
144 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
Hannah goes back to that list of songs to relive the special memories of her day. “The playlist hits every possible generation,” she said. “A couple of months ago Carl’s mom and I ordered Chinese food and played the songs. All of them reminded me of amazing, memorable times.”
II BRIDAL II
Since it was such a small, close group, someone plugged in a speaker, and everyone took turns queuing their favorite songs for a dance party.
use of sea glass and eucalyptus sprigs for a coastal feel. Cards were provided to write advice for the newlyweds to read later.
COORDINATOR:VENDORS: Tracey Mancini: Signature Catering & Events CEREMONY: Coastal Discovery Museum CEREMONY MUSIC: Hilton Head Entertainment. Violinist Cathy Klimoff OFFICIANT: David Leininger, A Wedding in Paradise FLORAL: Alison Mihkjian REHEARSAL DINNER: Signature Catering & Events TRANSPORTATION: Camelot Limousine DRESS: Savvy Bride RECEPTION: Dockside at Skull Creek RINGS: Heritage Fine Jewelry, Quinn’s Diamond Jewelers PHOTOGRAPHER: Chloe Giancola SEPTEMBER 2022 // 145
SOLITAIRE STYLE
BY NINA GREENPLATE
In recent years social media has had a heavy impact on engagement-ring styles. Instagram’s presence is shaking up and transforming the engagement-ring market, insider.com says. Couples can follow brands and trends, ultimately finding jewelers to make their dream ring a reality. Andrea Bragg, owner of Forsythe Jewelers in The Shops at Sea Pines Center, says, “Today’s trends seem to be driven by different influencers on social media.”
WEDDING
engageElegantment
Young people are looking for a more prominent solitaire and will sometimes complement that stone with halos on theHalosside(s).are a ring, or other designs of gemstones surrounding the center piece: some looks are more outstanding than others. “We are having more requests, like the styles that were popular when I got engaged 30 years ago, like the yellow gold mountings with solitaires,” says Bragg. “They are planning their budget more for the diamond than the mounting.”Yellowis certainly trending. A ringspro.com survey found 60% of jewelers mentioned that yellow gold is the preferred choice. Platinum was second. Round, oval and radiant cuts are among their most popular inquiries. The Knot 2021 Jewelry & Engagement Study, which surveyed more than 5,000 recently engaged couples, found oval engagement rings are growing in popularity. TRENDING IN RINGS
146 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
WHAT’S
Engagement rings are as unique as the couples who are betrothed. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind expression, with today’s design choices more brilliant than ever, from elegantly simple, to bold and prominent. Maybe it’s a colored gemstone or heirloom piece you want custom made. Taste, and often trend, emerge to help select your perfect band. The left ring finger has traditionally adorned the handsome jewel, as along this finger runs the vena amoris, or vein of love, flowing directly to the heart.
Imhoff agrees: “It would be helpful for the jeweler to point out popular styles and help us determine the final look.”Current supply-chain issues and shipping expenses impact the overall cost of purchasing this forever symbol.
STUNNING STONES Jennifer Lance, owner of Heritage Fine Jewelry at Shelter Cove Towne Centre along with her two brothers, has seen engagement ring trends ebb and flow throughout the years. “Fancy-shaped stones like the oval, pear and marquis are pretty popular right now,” says Lance. “The settings have become a little less ornate, often with just a solitaire band.”She too believes a return to yellow gold is again emerging, and says individualized requests are gladly received. “People often want small details in their settings,” she says. “But the diamond itself now seems to be the focal point.” She finds colored diamonds are not typically requested for engagement rings, but more often desired for anniversaries or second marriages.
FAMILY HEIRLOOMS Family rings are full of sentimental value and are often a ring favorite. A tip from Southernliving.com: Special meaning isn’t just tied to a traditional ring; necklaces and earrings can also be turned into an engagement ring.
The cost of engagement rings varies, but the average is about $6,000. The factors that might affect price include the Four C’s: cut, carat, color and clarity. The Knot had a survey that found the average cost of an engagement ring in the South was $5,300. Business Insider said the average ring in South Carolina is $7,874; but overall, rings can start around $1,500-$2,000.
“The demand for luxury goods like engagement rings, since Covid, has boomed,” says Bragg. “People decide that they didn’t want to wait until next year to show that person they love that they want to be with them forever.”
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 147
CONSIDER COST
“We will probably go together,” says Plowman. “I’m not sure of exactly what she would want, so it would benefit us to see different diamond cuts in person.”
Part-time resident, Jake Plowman, 22, and his soon-tobe fiancée Helaina Imhoff, plan to work as a team in their search.
MARRIEDJUST
RYAN | WIECHERT WEDDING Kelly Ryan and Scott Wiechert were recently married in Savannah, Georgia at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. They had their reception at Bethesda Academy. Kelly and Scott met in Savannah at rooftop bar, The Grove. Scott proposed to Kelly in her hometown of Hilton Head Island in front of the Harbour Town Lighthouse. Scott is a Marine Scientist in the U.S. Coast Guard and Kelly is the VP & Marketing Director at her family’s business Weichert, Realtors®- Coastal Properties. Photos by The Happy Bloom | thehappybloom.com
148 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 149
VANDERSLICE WEDDING Sarah Vanderslice of Hilton Head Island married John Cunningham of Monroe, Louisiana in a home ceremony and reception in Spanish Wells. They met through a mutual friend when John visited Sarah in Tennessee. They now reside in Bluffton, South Carolina. Photos by the Clay Austin photo team | clayaustinphotography.com
| CUNNINGHAM
MARRIEDJUST
MARRIEDJUST
Photos by CH Photography
BROWN | HEXAMER WEDDING Living in the very small town of Ridgeland, S.C., the families of Brittany Brown and Timber Hexamer have always known each other. Brittany and Timber went to the same school and had the same group of friends before dating. Their first date was going to the movies in 2016. They dated for five years, and Timber proposed on their fifth anniversary in Nashville, Tenn. They were married at Malphrus Oaks in Ridgeland.
150 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
LAGER
PORTERS Porters are dark beers known for their dark malts. Generally similar to stouts, but porters are usually heartier and thicker.
SOUR BEER
Among the most popular beers for new drinkers, lagers are brewed with bottom-fermenting yeast. Lagers taste light and smooth and are not as bitter as some beers.
BROWN ALE Best known for its malty and slight hoppy flavor, brown ales have a dark color and are often chocolate and caramel flavored.
WHEAT BEER
~A GUIDE TO PICKING THE BEST BEER FOR YOU~ selecting
STOUT BEER Dark, stouts vary in flavor. Sweeter stouts low in bitterness are often from Ireland and England; American stouts have high malt flavors, with a coffee taste. IPA There are many types of IPAs which are known for their hops and fruity flavor. A refreshing drink, IPAs vary in bitterness and citrus or fruit flavors.
BY
PALE ALE A hoppy beer, pale ales can have a malty and bitter taste, with American ales tending to be more bitter than English pale ales. The history dates back to the 1700s.
Wheat beers use wheat as the main ingredient which leads to a light feel. Often paired with fruit such as oranges or limes.
Sour beers have a tart and acidic taste. Add fruits like cherry or raspberry. Pairs well with spicy foods. Suds HILTON HEAD MONTHLY
PILSNER Pilsner varieties include American, Belgian, Czech and German. Tastes range from sweet, bitter or light and smooth.
152 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II DINE OUT II
154 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II DINING II [ BY HILTON HEAD MONTHLY ] Sometimes the best place to watch all the games is in the comfort of your own living room. You control the TV channels and, most important, the food selections are exactly what you desire to devour. Hot dogs and chips are fun and traditional, but we offer some alternative servings that are sure to satisfy. TIPS FOR THEEXPERIENCETAILGATINGULTIMATEATHOME GAME DAY SNACKING
Anotheronions.quick
QUICK BITES Before diving into a larger meal, there are some snack-sizes to consider. A few favorites include herbed popcorn (dried herbs and garlic powder), garlic pizza wedges (best served warm) and taco pinwheels (serve with salsa). An avocado salsa is quick and yummy. You can scoop it up with chips and enjoy. Recipes vary but can include tomatoes, avocados, cilantro, pineapple and red but delicious idea is air-fried chicken, which offers little hassle, but a big, delicious taste. Air frying chicken strips is generally the fastest way, but chicken thighs are also tasty. Either way, you’ll have a crispy and crunchy snack.
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 155
CHARCUTERIE BOARDS
ON THE GRILL Serve up sliders, sausage or delicious vegetables. Linguica sausages make an appealing appetizer because they are a quick barbeque snack. A tip: slice and wrap in a tortilla. A vegetable kabob is another grilling option. Try peppers, asparagus and mushrooms and sauté with some balsamic vinegar. Yum. For something a little heartier, try grilled bison sliders. These are extra tasty compared to regular beef and can be grilled in minutes (1-2 minutes each side). Add cheese immediately after grilling, and make sure to toast the bun. Grilled corn with butter (garlic butter is a favorite) makes for a scrumptious meal. Also, corn can be seasoned with salt and pepper and grilled in 15 minutes.
Sure to be a crowd pleasure, charcuterie boards are simple but offer variety. You can include a board of cheeses, crackers, dips and an assortment of meats. Some suggested goodies include salami and prosciutto, spinach artichoke dip, salsa and hummus, pigs-in-blanket, chicken wings, nuts, olives and ranch or blue cheese. Think about including celery and carrots. If you are watching a game of gridiron action, try a cheese ball shaped like a football. Be ready to get your hands dirty as you design the football. You’ll want some bacon and cheese (provolone, white cheddar or mozzarella) and serve it on a footballshaped cutting board. There are many varieties of boards that fit your style, but giving guests plenty of options is satisfying.
SLOW IT DOWN
The action on the television may be frenetic but because it’s going to be a long day of viewing, consider Carolina Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. The pork will take some time (8 to 12 hours) but will be tender and have guests clamoring for more. There are many recipes but find a boneless pork shoulder for the best taste. A bonus: plenty of leftovers.
ORDER IN OK, the goal is to focus on the game. Who wants to cook? Let somebody else do it for you. Great game-day ideas include ordering family-meal platters of barbecue (ribs, pulled pork, chicken with mac and cheese) or consider entrees that take minutes to heat up or are ready to serve. Some places offer large meals such as lasagna with vegetables and pot pies (filet mignon, seafood chowder), caprese platters, mini lobster rolls, or antipasto platters.
DESSERTS FOR GAME DAY
As the game reaches the fourth quarter, or the ninth inning, make sure to enjoy dessert. Fun ideas include S’mores treats shaped like footballs (use white icing to draw laces). Try making brookies, which are part fudge brownie and part chewy chocolate chip cookie. Vegan chocolate chip cookies are healthier options, with recipes that include vegan butter and semi-sweet vegan chocolate chips.
II DINING II
156 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
A New Orleans Road mainstay that features 27 TVs, with a 10-foot big screen television. Watch all sports and play some pool. 843-686-7665 or find them on Facebook.
A North End pizzeria and sports bar with plenty of TVs, pool tables, hand-tossed pizza and awardwinning wings. 843-363-2582 cheapseatsrestaurantgroup.com.or
Bites in the lowcountry
WhileHILTONHEADMONTHLY.COMwestrivetoensureaccuracy,information
Family-friendly pub style restaurants featuring authentic English food with additional American favorites and certified Angus beef. A great place to watch golf or your favorite soccer match. 843-686-6736 or britishopenpubhhi.com
Club Seats Grille
Captain Woody’s Grab a seat on the outside deck, inside, or just belly up to the bar and enjoy a casual awesome meal. Stop by and root for whichever is your home team. 843-785-2400 or captainwoodys.com.
Callahan’s Sports Bar and Grill
HILTON HEAD ISLAND British Open Pub
is subject to change without notice. Please call the establishment directly to verify entertainment, menus, days and hours.
CocoNutz Sportz Bar
A fantastic sports-viewing experience includes 23 large HD TVs, a large
Hilton Head A favorite at Shelter Cove, this social gathering spot is perfect for lunch, happy hour, late night, parties, and game days. Great food, cold beer and a shared passion for sports. 843-802-0010 or thehickorytavern.com
projection screen and video games and billiards. The menu includes steaks, seafood, pizza and wings. Located inside Hilton Head Island Beach and Tennis Resort. 843-842-0043 or Hhibeachandtennis.com/dining/ Hickory Tavern
The baseball season is in its home stretch and football season is underway. There’s no better way to enjoy all the action than hanging out with friends, enjoying a fun meal, and watching the games. Here are just some of the best places in the Lowcountry to enjoy sports and grab a bite. sports
158 //
Skull Creek Boathouse
Located on the banks of Skull Creek, the Boathouse offers breathtaking views and fabulous food and drinks. Enjoy the beer garden; you will be entranced with a sunset brew while you let the kids enjoy the play area outside. Start your football Sundays with brunch here. 843-681-3663 or skullcreekboathouse.com
True Neapolitan-style
Fans of all sports and teams are invited, but Chicago is always the home team. Hinchey’s Chicago Bar & Grill aims to make locals and visitors feel at home. There’s sports memorabilia and a menu that includes chicken wings, salads and about 20 different sandwiches. 843-686-5959 or Hincheys.com.
Hinchey’s Chicago Bar & Grill
You’ll become a fan after just one bite of the baby-back ribs. Try burgers, wraps and three-combo platters. Enjoy checking out all the games. 843-682-6262 or Onehotmamas.com.
Fresh, local, authentic seafood and steaks accompanied by scratch cocktails and craft beer in a fun, beach-vibe atmosphere with all the sports, live music, and good times anyone could ask for. Featuring a new menu and vibe. 843-689-2662 or rockfishhhi.com
The motto says it all: Pizza, Pasta and Pigskin. Mangiamo's specializes in pizza, pasta and wings. Catch your favorite team on one of its big-screen TVs. Mangiamo's is a home away from home for The Ohio State Buckeyes. 843-682-2444 or hhipizza.com.
Since 1982, Reilley’s Bar & Grill has served sizzling steaks, seafood, pasta and sandwiches. The family-friendly atmosphere offers a variety of TVs, which has helped it be considered one of the area’s best sports bars. 843-842-4414 or reilleyshiltonhead.com.
JVZ BONEZ Americana Bar and Grill
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 159
Mangiamo's
One Hot Mama’s
Rockfish Seafood & Steaks
This sports bar (in a 4,500-square-foot space) has more than 25 televisions and indoor and outdoor seating. Watch sports while enjoying wings, burgers and pizza. 843-757-9121 or visit the Facebook page.
wood-fired pizza. Enjoy homemade pies with their regionally sourced ingredients. Local Pie offers a wonderful sense of community. Sit at the outside bar and watch all the action. 843-842-7437 or localpie.com
Reilley’s Grill & Bar
Local Pie
Enjoy award-winning barbecue and ribs, wings, and chili. Watch your favorite sporting event on an assortment of big-screen TVs. 843-842-4227 or smokehousehhi.com
The Frosty Frog Café
The Smokehouse
Top Dawg Tavern
A chill vibe with renowned daiquiris and delicious pizza and sandwiches. The Frosty Frog is a relaxing spot to watch the game and enjoy being steps from the beach. 843-686-3764 or frostyfrog.com
Street Meet
The Black Marlin Bayside Grill
The perfect place to grab a bite to eat, have a drink, and enjoy time together with friends and family. They have a full bar and TVs throughout the restaurant, including a jumbo projection screen for all the big events. 843-785-5600 or topdawgtavern.com
Enjoy a home-away-from-home style experience. The owners are diehard fans of the Cleveland Browns and with the Cleveland Brown Backer Tracker app, fans can watch the game and meet old and new friends. All sports fans are welcome to enjoy wings, fish and chips and seafood. 843-842-2570 or streetmeethhi.com
Offering a fresh selection of fresh, delicious hand-cut steaks, The Black Marlin is home of the Hurricane Bar where you can enjoy your favorite sporting event. 843-785-4950 or blackmarlinhhi.com
II DINING II
160 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
BLUFFTON Buffalo Wild Wings Wings, chicken tenders, burgers and plenty of TVs to watch all the action. Buffalo Wild Wings is a fantastic place to watch the game, have a cold beer and eat some great food. 843-757-9404 or Buffalowildwings.com
The go-to place for chicken wings, burgers, and unique fried creations that’ll make your mouth water. Live music from local DJs and bands nearly every weekend. Catch any big game whatever the season on the big screens. 843-785-9464 or wildwingcafe.com.
XO Sports & Spirits
After a relaxing day at the beach or pool, enjoy the best local flavors while you take in a game at XO Sports & Spirits located at the Omni Oceanfront Resort. There’s an extensive drink menu and state-of-the-art televisions for the sports enthusiast and those looking for an authentic taste of the island. 843-842-8000 or omnihotels.com/hotels/hilton-head
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 161
Wild Wing Cafe
British Open Pub
Family-friendly pub style restaurants featuring authentic English food with additional American favorites and certified Angus beef. British Open Pub is a great place to watch golf or your favorite soccer match. 843-815-6736 or britishopenpubhhi.com
Katie O'Donald’s This Irish pub is celebrating 25 years in business. Fantastic food, drinks and fellowship. Plenty of screens to watch the big game. 843-815-5555 or katieodonalds.com
One Hot Mama’s
Sports and craft beer are the perfect combination. Big screen TVs ensure you don’t miss any of the action. Sports trivia night is a welcomed addition. 843-837-2337 or find them on Facebook. Station 300 This bowling spot includes a grill, full bar and tons of arcade games. Join a league or just have fun with friends and watch the sports action. 843-815-2695 or station300bluffton.com
A favorite hangout for locals, this is the place to be if you are a Buffalo Bills fan. With 19 TVs and two projection screens they have every game on all the time, including most NBA, NHL and MLB games. 843-757-7264 or rbarbluffton.com
SOUTHERN BARREL
Captain Woody’s Grab a seat at the rooftop deck, inside, or just belly up to the bar and enjoy a casual awesome meal. Stop by and root for whichever is your home team. 843-757-6222 or captainwoodys.com
II DINING II
The perfect place to enjoy food and drinks at the outside bar — or play pool. Cheap Seats Tavern 2 has APAsanctioned pool leagues three nights a week. 843-837-3287 or cheapseatsrestaurantgroup.com
162 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
Kelly's Tavern Known for its "hometown" comfortable atmosphere with local and new friends daily, it boasts of having the longest bar in the Lowcountry. Play pool and watch all the gameday action. 843-837-3353 or find them on Facebook.
You’ll become a fan after just one bite of the baby-back ribs. Try burgers, wraps and three-combo platters. Enjoy checking out all the games. 843-682-6262 or Onehotmamas.com.
Cheap Seats Tavern 2
843.84 2.2570 • #streetmeethhi • PORT ROYAL PLAZA VOTED BURGER!BEST YOUR PLACE FOR ALL OHIO SPORTS! DINE-IN • TAK E OUT • CURBSIDE KIT CHEN ALWAYS OPEN LATE GREAT OUTDOOR SEATING ONLINE ORDERING WW W.STREETMEET HHI.COM
R Bar & Grill
Enjoy a unique dining experience with a full menu and bar, music. Great atmosphere for entertainment. 843-706-2537 or okatiealehouse.com
Okatie Ale House
The Turn Grill From double patty burgers to big dinner salads and special evening entrees, there’s something for everyone. There are 21 televisions and outdoor, covered patio seating with fans, heaters, and three TVs. 843-815-9444 or theturngrill.com
Wild Wing Cafe
The go-to place for chicken wings, burgers, and unique fried creations that’ll make your mouth water. Live music from local DJs and bands nearly every weekend. Catch any big game whatever the season on the big screens. 843-837-9453 or wildwingcafe.com.
Tailgators Bar & Grille Chill in the lounge with billiards, darts and shuffleboard. Locals love the indoor, outdoor and to-go dining. Enjoy fresh, flavorful food and watch the big game in an atmosphere that's fun and friendly. 843-645-2337 or tailgatorsbarandgrille.com
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 163
164 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II SEPTEMBER 20//22 LOWCOUNTRY SCENE II
PURPLE XPERIENCE: The Purple Xperience is a five-piece group that has been bringing the most authentic production of Prince and The Revolution to audiences nationwide since 2011. Suitable for ages 13 and older. Cost is $62. 7:30 p.m., Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-2787 or SEPT.artshhi.com.8
THE ULTIMATE RIB CHALLENGE AND COOK OUT: Join the Salty Dog and help decide who is the rib champion by trying out a rib sampler Judges’ Platter. Free admission. 4-8 p.m., The Salty Dog, 232 South Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-671-2233 or saltydog.com.
THE ISLAND’S STORY: Learn from a Coastal Discovery Museum docent about our earliest residents, the plantation era, Gullah culture, and our modern development. Suitable for ages 7 and older. Cost is $7. 3 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767, ext. 223 or SEPT.coastaldiscovery.org.1-30
SEPT 3-4 PURPLE XPERIENCE
SEPT. 1
SEPT. 2 KIDS NIGHT OUT: Drop your kids off for a fun Friday night while you enjoy a night out. Children will experience water games, dinner, slides, and other great activities on the back lawn. Registration required. 6-8:30 p.m., LowCountry Community Church, 801 Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton. 843-8361101 or lowcountrycc.org. SEPT. 2-3
THE JOHN BRACKETT 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 SEPT.thejazzcorner.com.3
SEPT. 3-4
CALENDAR
EVENTSFUNFOREVERYONE!
INDIGO EXPLORATION: Journey to the past and “meet” Eliza Lucas Pinckney. Hear her unique story, learn how indigo dye was made, and make your own indigo tie-dyed T-shirt to take home. Cost is $12. 6-7 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767, ext. 223 or coastaldiscovery.org. SEPT. 9 FREE FAMILY FUN NIGHT: Open to all families, this event is designed to bring families together for a cost-free evening of fun activities. Free. 5:30-7:30 p.m., The Sandbox Children’s Museum, 80 Nassau Street, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-7645 or thesandbox.org.
SEPTEMBER WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. Take “hometown, homegrown” to the next level with Partout’s tailgate-inspired wine tasting and pairing experience. Includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and five wines. An in-home tasting experience for up to eight people (larger parties available). 678-4921059 or partout.wine
SAVANNAH CLASSIC CAR AUCTION: Premier Auction Group is hosting a classic car auction featuring 400 collector cars for public bidding. Register to bid early. Cost is $20 for adults, $10 for seniors or military, free for children 12 and under. 9:45 a.m., Savannah Convention Center, 1 International Drive, Savannah. 844-593-7355 or pagauction.com.
// HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II SEPTEMBER 20//22 LOWCOUNTRY SCENE II
DOCUMENTARY SCREENING: Settle in for an enlightening documentary screening of “A Month and Some Days/Un Mes y Dias.” The documentary speaks through the voice of the Tri-County Latino community, including its challenges and achievements as immigrants. Suggested $5 donation. 3 p.m., Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 South Jacob Smart Boulevard, Ridgeland. 843-284-9227 or morrisheritagecenter.org.
CRAFT BEER AND BURGER FEST: Enjoy live music, waterfront views, craft beer, and a big, juicy burger creation. Free admission. 12 166 SEPT 17
CRAFT BEER AND BURGER FEST
SEPT. 13
STROKE SUPPORT GROUP: Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton is offering a stroke support group featuring refreshments, educational resources, fun activities, and socializing. Free. 3-4 p.m., Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital, 107 Seagrass Station Road, Bluffton. 843-415-6699 or SEPT.encompasshealth.com.16
BLUFFTON MOVIE NIGHT: The Town of Bluffton is hosting six movie nights to bring Bluffton families together in Town parks throughout the remainder of 2022; featuring bounce houses, games, and a movie. The September movie is “Sing 2.” 6-8 p.m., Oscar Frazier Park, 7 Recreation Court, Bluffton. 843706-4500 or townofbluffton.com.
LOWCOUNTRY COLOR RUN: Proceeds from this Fun Run/5K will go to “I Got Shoes,” a nonprofit that provides shoes for those in need in Uganda. Fun festivities will take place after the race for participants. Registration is $35 for adults, $20 for children under 12. 9:30 a.m., LowCountry Community Church, 801 Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton. 843-836-1101 or lowcountrycc.org. MOVE YOUR MIND: Join Memory Matters for a fun 5K or 10K walk/run featuring food, prizes, and more. Pets welcome. Tickets are $20$35. 7:30-10:30 a.m., May River High School, 601 New Riverside Drive, Bluffton. 843-8426688 or mymemorymatters.org.
PRESENTATION: “AN ECOLOGICAL DISASTER IN THE MAKING”: Join veteran foreign correspondent James Borton for a presentation about how the sea’s sustainability is being threatened by the negative impact of continuous coastal development, climate change, ocean acidification, plastic pollution, reclamations, overfishing, and population and political pressures from all neighboring states. Free. 10 a.m., Hilton Head Library, 11 Beach City Road, Hilton Head Island. 843-384-6758 or SEPT.wachh.org.14
THE EDWIN G. HAMILTON TRIO AT THE JAZZ CORNER: Featuring Donald Vega and Ben Wolfe. $10. 7:30-11 p.m., The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com.
BEER MILE: Bring a friend and take part in the Island Rec Center’s inaugural Beer Mile. Each competitor drinks four cans or bottles of beer, then runs four laps around Lowcountry Celebration Park. Must have a designated driver to participate. Cost is $30, includes shirt and snacks. 6-8 p.m., Lowcountry Celebration Park, 94 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island. 843-681-7273 or islandreccenter.org.
SEPT. 16-17
SOUTH BEACH LOWCOUNTRY BOIL: Kick off early fall in the South with a classic Lowcountry boil, featuring fresh shrimp, corn and potatoes paired with waterfront live music. 12 p.m., The Salty Dog, 232 South Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-671-2233 or SEPT.saltydog.com.10-11
SEPT. 17
OLUKAI LOWCOUNTRY BOIL PADDLE BATTLE: Join this Lowcountry paddle battle to help raise money for the Outside Foundation. The battle features three courses and cash awards and trophies will be presented to the winners. 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Rowing and Sailing Center, 137 Squire Pope Road, Hilton Head Island. lowcountrypaddle.com.
OLUKAI PINT NIGHT: Enjoy a night full of beer, live music, food, and fun as a welcome to all participants of this year’s Lowcountry Boil Paddle Battle. Olukai will be giving out free swag to the first handful of people. Free. 4-7 p.m., Outside Hilton Head, 50 Shelter Cove Lane, Suite H, Hilton Head Island. 843-6866996 or outsidehiltonhead.com. SEPT. 9-10
THE ANDRAE MURCHISON 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 SEPT.thejazzcorner.com.10
BILINGUAL TOURS AT THE MORRIS CENTER: Learn about the history, art, and culture of the Lowcountry during these guided tours in Spanish and English. Free. 10 a.m., 2 p.m., Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 South Jacob Smart Boulevard, Ridgeland. 843-284-9227 or morrisheritagecenter.org.
SEPT. 22
NATIVE PLANT SALE
LOWCOUNTRY REPTILES: Slither on in to get up close and personal with species of local snakes. Erin McBeth from Lowcountry Exotics LLC will introduce visitors to scaly friends and explain the differences between venomous and non-venomous snakes. Suitable for the whole family. Suggested $5 donation. 11 a.m. Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 South Jacob Smart Boulevard, Ridgeland. 843-284-9227 or SEPT.morrisheritagecenter.org.18
LOWCOUNTRY SCENE II p.m., The Salty Dog, 232 South Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843671-2233 or saltydog.com.
SEPT. 24
SOUTH CAROLINA “HERSTORY”: Scores of women have left an indelible mark on “herstory” in the Palmetto State. This inspiring talk connects to The Supper Table. Free. 6 p.m., Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 South Jacob Smart Boulevard, Ridgeland. 843-2849227 or morrisheritagecenter.org.
SEPT. 20
COOKING DEMO: FRESH CATCH: Gather round the table for a cooking demonstration at Alexander’s, led by Executive Chef Charles Pejeau. Learn how to clean, prepare, and cook your fresh catch. All the money collected will be given to the Palmetto Dunes Employee Assistance Program. Cost is $25. 2-3 p.m., Alexander’s Restaurant, 76 Queens Folly Road, Hilton Head Island. 855-511-0999 or alexandersrestaurant.com.
NATIVE PLANT SALE: The Coastal Discovery Museum will have over 90 native plant species for sale to cover diverse landscaping needs, from vines to blooming bushes to butterfly-friendly plants. Native plants have the advantage of being adapted to the local environment and therefore require little or no care at all. One-gallon potted plants are $9, threegallon potted plants are $16. Cash or check only. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-6896767, ext. 223 or coastaldiscovery.org.
SVETLANA & THE DELANCEY FIVE AT THE JAZZ CORNER: A Night at the Speakeasy, “Making Hot Jazz Sound Cool.” $10. 7:30-11 p.m., The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-8428620 or thejazzcorner.com.
168 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II SEPTEMBER 20//22
MARINE INVERTEBRATES: Dive deep into the life of smaller marine creatures during this hands-on interactive experience. Cost is $12 for adults, $7 for children ages 4-12. 6-7 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767, ext. 223 or SEPT.coastaldiscovery.org.23-24
LOWCOUNTRY BOOK CLUB CONVENTION: The Lowcountry Book Club Convention is ideal for book club members, those interested in joining a book club, or anyone who simply loves the joy of reading. Featuring author events, a tour of the Culinary Institute, book signings, and more. Registration fee is $15-$40. 9:30-3:30 p.m., Culinary Institute of the South, 1 Venture Drive, Bluffton. 843-379-7025 or patconroyliterarycenter.org.
BLUFFTEMBER FEST SUNSET PARTY: Enjoy an outdoor music festival and Oktoberfest celebration on the May River, featuring live music, arts and crafts, and more. Lawn chairs are permitted; no outdoor food or drinks allowed. Cost is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. 3-8 p.m., Oyster Factory Park, 55 Wharf Street, Bluffton. 843-757-8520 or blufftonsunsetparty.com.
WING AND CHILI COOK OFF: Guests are the judge as the Salty Dog chefs go head-to-head to determine who can craft the tastiest wings and chili in South Beach. Free admission. The Salty Dog, 232 South Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-671-2233 or saltydog.com.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT: This annual golf tournament will celebrate 25 years of fun, fellowship, and building homes with tournament proceeds going to families in need of a safe place to live. Player fee is $250. 9 a.m., Oldfield Club, 130 Oldfield Way, Bluffton. 843-681-5864 or habitathhi.org.
SHRIMP FESTIVAL: This family-friendly event will feature savory shrimp dishes prepared by 18 Hilton Head-area chefs, craft beers from more than 14 breweries, specialty vendors, a Kids Zone, and live music. Early bird admission is $60 for adults over 21, $40 for non-drinking adults, free for children under 8. 1-4 p.m., Harbour Town, Hilton Head Island. 866-5618802 or seapinesresort.com.
LOWCOUNTRY BOIL: Enjoy a Lowcountry boil to benefit the Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, featuring live music, a community beer garden, and more. Tickets are $50. 5-8 p.m., The Sands, Port Royal, Hilton Head Island. 843-815-1570 or lclv.org.
170 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II SEPTEMBER 20//22 LOWCOUNTRY SCENE II
THROUGH SEPT. 24 EXHIBIT: “SURROUNDINGS… CAPTURING THE LOWCOUNTRY ON CANVAS”: Artist Robin Sue Ross will have her impressionistic paintings on display, featuring colorful tributes to the Lowcountry landscape. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Mondays-Saturdays; 12-4 p.m., Sundays. Art League Gallery, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-681-5060 or SEPT.artleaguehhi.org.26
LOWCOUNTRY BOIL
COMMUNITY YARD SALE: High Tide Restoration and Cleaning is hosting a Community Yard Sale and offering booth space to those with stuff to sell. Register soon for booth space. Free. 7 a.m.-12 p.m., High Tide Restoration and Cleaning, 322 Spanish Wells Road, Hilton Head Island. 843-422-7360 or hightiderestoration. NOV.com.
6 BIKE BLUFFTON: The Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton will host a premier cycling fundraising event in November to raise money for the Club. The ride will feature four routes for everyone from avid cyclists to families looking for a fun morning out. After the event, participants can enjoy food, music, and activities. Registration costs start at $50. 8 a.m., The Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton, 100 H. E. McCracken Circle, Bluffton. 843-757-2845 or Mondaysbgcbluffton.org.
SEPT. 29 ART AND APPETIZERS: Enjoy an evening of art and appetizers to support Memory Matters. The event will feature three local artists who will have their work on display: Amos Hummell, HeeJune Shin, and Pam White. Free admission. 4:30-7 p.m., Memory Matters, 117 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-8426688 or mymemorymatters.org.
SEA TURTLE PAINT PARTY: Let your creative juices flow during this fun and informal painting party. Explore the joys of color blending, working with shapes and brush strokes, and expressing yourself in an inspirational atmosphere. Cost is $35, includes all supplies. Suitable for ages 7 and older. 5-7 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767, ext. 223 or SEPT.coastaldiscovery.org.30
172 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II SEPTEMBER 20//22 LOWCOUNTRY SCENE II
INDIGO TIE DYE: Learn how indigo dye is made from a plant and use it to create a tie- dyed T-shirt to take home. All supplies are provided. Cost is $12 for adults, $7 for children. 1:30 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767, ext. 223 or coastaldiscovery.org.
OCT. 1
NOEL FREIDLINE AND MARIA HOWELL AT THE JAZZ CORNER: Reimagining Motown. $10. 7:30-11 p.m., The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-8428620 or THROUGHthejazzcorner.com.OCT.2
1 LOW COUNTRY FISH AND GRITS MUSIC FESTIVAL: Family-friendly festival at the Lowcountry Celebration Park on HHI. Bringing awareness to the Gullah Geechee culture with a mix of international and local musical talent, unique crafts, and indigenous cuisine. 1-6 p.m. fishandgritsmusicfest.com
EXHIBIT: “PAINT WHAT YOU LOVE AND LOVE WHAT YOU PAINT: Artist Mary Treadwell will have her artwork on display, featuring watercolor works with a broad range of subject matter, including colorful fish and bright flowers. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Society of Bluffton Artists, 6 Church Street, Bluffton. 843-757-6586 or THROUGHsobagallery.com.OCT.7
CONCERT: “A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES”: Join the Hilton Head Choral Society for an evening of familiar cinematic tunes, including songs from movies like Saving Private Ryan, Star Wars, Home Alone, Gladiator, Prince of Egypt, and more. The concert will take audience members on a cinematic journey through the decades with musical pieces for all ages. Tickets are $15-$40. 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-341-3818 or SEPT.hiltonheadchoralsociety.org.30-OCT.1
SCORE MINORITY SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM: SCORE SC Lowcountry has a new program that will offer awards up to $2,500 to minority small businesses. Award money can be used by small businesses for direct company operations, like licensing support, website operations, and more. Applications are available through Oct. 7. Apply at sclowcountry.score. OCT.org.
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 173 Mondays SEA TURTLES: Learn about nesting sea turtles on Hilton Head’s beaches and how to protect this endangered species, led by marine biologist Amber Kuehn. Event will be held rain or shine. Bring a chair or towel. Donations suggested. 8-9 p.m., Lowcountry Celebration Park, 94 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island. seaturtlepatrolhhi.org. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
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. Tuesdayscom.
SMITH STEARNS TENNIS ACADEMY: SUMMER TENNIS CAMP: Smith Stearns provides top-notch tennis instruction, worldclass coaching, excellent match play and an overall fantastic program to help students achieve their tennis goals. Programs are available daily and weekly for match play ready kids, ages 8 through college level. Private lessons are also available. Camps run each week through Labor Day weekend. 843-363-4789 or smithstearns.com.
THE FARMERS & MAKERS MARKET: Celebrate fresh, celebrate local. Enjoy the colorful displays that grow and change each week throughout the season at this charming, weekly festival. Now in its 9th year, the Market will present more fresh, local produce, more seafood, more breads and baked goods, and more crafts, artisans and “makers” than ever before. Free admission. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., The Shops at Sea Pines Center, 71 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head Island. 843-363-5699 or Tuesdaystheshopsatseapinescenter.com.
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 Mondaysmymemorymatters.org.throughSaturdays
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 Tuesdayshhifarmersmarket.com.
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. Wednesdays, Fridays CRITTER MEET AND GREET: Drop by this casual “Meet and Greet” to learn about the alligators, snakes, and a few other fun critters that share Hilton Head Island with us. Take this opportunity to see animals up
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.
Thursdays FARMERS MARKET OF BLUFFTON: Meet local farmers, chefs and artisans every Thursday on Boundary Street. Buy a fresh assortment of strawberries, produce, beets, potatoes and more. Also hear local, live entertainment and educational lectures. Noon-5 p.m., Martin Family Park, 68 Boundary Street, Bluffton. 843-415-2447 or Thursdaysfarmersmarketbluffton.org.
SIT AND STITCH: Practice needlepoint every Friday during this casual sit and stitch event. All levels welcome. Free. 10 a.m., Needlepoint Junction, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Suite 6134, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8488 or shopneedlepointjunction. com.
174 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II SEPTEMBER 20//22 LOWCOUNTRY SCENE II close, get hands-on and hold a critter or two, take pictures of or with your favorite critters, and learn more about these amazing animals and how to safely share the Lowcountry with them. Cost is $10. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767, ext. 223, or coastaldiscovery.org.
LCC KIDS STORYTIME: This fun weekly event is a great opportunity for your Pre-K little ones to listen to stories, make new friends, and for parents to socialize too. Plus, children will enjoy crafts, flannel board interactive stories, and playtime. Free. 10-11 a.m., LowCountry Community Church, 801 Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton. 843-8361101 or Thursdays,lowcountrycc.org.Fridays
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 Thursdayscoastaldiscovery.org.
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. 843-842-8488 or needlepointjunctionhhi. Fridayscom.
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 Thursdaysheritagelib.org.
Fridays BEGINNER SHAG LESSONS AND SOCIAL DANCING: The Hilton Head Island Carolina Shag Club will host Friday night beginner shag lessons, followed by social dances. Lessons are open to couples, singles, and anyone who loves to dance. Dances are open to the public and all styles of dancers: shag, ballroom, swing, country, or line. Fee is $5. 5:30 p.m., Christ Lutheran Church, 829 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-363-6008 or hiltonheadshagclub.com.
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. 843-6712586 lawtonstables.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.
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.
SALTY DOG WEEKLY EVENTS : Have fun in South Beach with the Salty Dog. Nightly events include Turtle Trackers on Mondays and Sundays, Juggling on Tuesdays and Saturdays, Dance Party on Wednesdays and Fridays, Colorpalooza on Thursdays. Times vary. Salty Dog Cafe, 232 South Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843671-2233 or saltydog.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.
ALLIGATOR AND WILDLIFE TOUR: Alligator and Wildlife Boat Tour with H2O Sports in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. Get an up-close view of indigenous plant and animal life, including the American alligator, on a one-hour guided boat tour. Reservations are required, 843-671-4386 or h2osports.com.
COLIGNY SUMMER MUSIC: Join Coligny at the Center Stage every night this summer for live music Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day weekend. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Coligny Plaza, 1 North Forest Beach Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-6050 or colignyplaza.org.
SEPTEMBER 2022 // 175
TRAIL RIDES THROUGH THE SEA PINES FOREST PRESERVE
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.
• More than 91% of people in the United States have health coverage, up roughly 6% from 20 years ago, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Steven Pinker, a professor of psychology at Harvard University, in his book “Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress” promotes the idea of us living in a time of great advancement.
•Consider:Extreme poverty worldwide has declined in the past few decades (falling by more than 1 billion people during a 25-year period) and literacy is on the rise (the global rate increased from 42% in 1960 to 86% in 2015), according to data at ourworldindata.org.
• Child mortality has significantly dropped. In 1990, 12.6 million children under 5 years old died, compared to 5.4 million in 2017.
• The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports violent crime in America has trended down for years, noting that between 1993 and 2019 the percentage of Americans aged 12 or older who were victims of violent crime fell 74%. From 2019 to 2020 it declined 15%. The numbers are encouraging. Incessant news consumption can lead us toward relentless despair. With so many 24-7 outlets broadcasting images of tragedies and constantly reporting the latest unnerving content, our sense of alarm is heightened. Being informed is important, but “doom scrolling” only adds to our angst.
A few highlights: The global average IQ score has risen at a rate of about three IQ points per decade; since the 1930s, thanks to safety measures such as window bars, railings and inspections, the chance that Americans will fall to their deaths has declined by 72 percent.
The average American retires at 62, whereas 100 years ago the average American died at age 51; and in 1900 women could vote in one country. Today women can vote in each country in which men can vote, except Vatican City.
And Pinker notes this Wikipedia entry, a favorite of his: “Smallpox was an infectious disease caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor.”
176 // HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM II LAST CALL II THE
The world is coming undone. The world is prospering like never before. We are living in troubled times. We are living in times of great progress. A radio conversation on the perception of the world’s perils piqued my interest recently, and further research led me down a rabbit hole of discovery. My findings were enlightening and promising. War in Ukraine. Climate change. The lingering pandemic. Inflation. These are some of the daily concerns that fuel a sense of dread, that help amplify our anxiety. But what if the overall outlook is optimistic and continues to be hopeful? This was the thought at the heart of my research after listening to a chat that focused on the positives. There are certainly reasons for foreboding, but the world also offers examples of promise.
ANTHONY GARZILLI : editor anthony@hiltonheadmonthly.com GoodtheStuff
Yes, there are always events that require legitimate concern — “progress is not utopia” Pinker writes — and this isn’t to suggest we live in the most tranquil of times. But sometimes it’s best to change the channel, silence the panicked news alerts and appreciate the good stuff. EXAMPLESALSOWORLDOFFERSOFPROMISE.
• The Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs said life expectancy globally increased from 64 years in 1990 to 72.8 in 2019. Despite a dip of almost two years in 2021, mostly because of the impact of COVID, the expectancy is projected to rise to 77.2 years by 2050.
Pinker’s focus is on the word “was.” A disease that killed more than 300 million people in the 20th century no longer exists.
