Bluffton Monthly October 2022

BLUFFTON

celebrate FALL

MOnthLY

| hiltonheadmonthly.com

PUBLISHERS

Sasha Sweeney sasha@hiltonheadmonthly.com

Meredith DiMuzio meredith@hiltonheadmonthly.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Anthony Garzilli anthony@hiltonheadmonthly.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Rebecca Cashwell cashwell@hiltonheadmonthly.com

DIRECTOR

Madison Elrod madison@hiltonheadmonthly.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Allyson Venrick allyson@hiltonheadmonthly.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Majka Mochnac majka@hiltonheadmonthly.com 843-290-9372

Mary Ann Kent maryann@hiltonheadmonthly.com 843-384-9390

Cathy Flory cathy@hiltonheadmonthly.com 843-384-1538

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Heather Edge heather@hiltonheadmonthly.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Flueck, Rob Kaufman,

Bartlett,

WRITERS:

Bonnyman

Ritterbeck

Head Big Band

Curators of

Piano

must reads

50 Leading Men

Spotlighting the most influential men in the Lowcountry.

114 Hockey Heats Up

Gallery is

40 On the Ballot

Meet the candidates running in

elections.

Savannah Ghost Pirates ready to debut on the ice.

144 Crescendo Celebration

Month-long event highlights arts, culture and history.

HILTON

ABOUT THE COVERS:

The Lantern

up the night

PEOPLE

: Heart for the Harp

Lucy Scandrett

ARTS

: Creativity Inspired

League of Hilton Head celebrates

Animated for Education

talks to students at Heritage Academy.

FINANCE

Education Assistance

to understand changes to financial aid.

COMMUNITY

Supporting Each Other Initiative helps unite Lowcountry.

HOME

: Seasonal Decorations

displays for your porch.

HEALTH

102 : Living Life to the Fullest Cancer survivor cherishes each day.

1O4 : Offering Comfort Group is an outlet for breast cancer support.

: Find a Purpose Champion surfer brings message of healing.

CONCOURS

110 : Automotive Action

d’Elegance & Motoring Festival is a fun-filled weekend.

PARENTING

116 : Pumpkin Perfection

goulish guide to carving.

READS

118 : Spooky Stories

guide to spine-tingling tales.

TRAVEL

: Music City Getaway

Explore all that Nashville offers.

DINING

128 : It’s Island Time Watterson Brands launches ready-to-drink cocktail.

: Signature Dishes

Favorite plates from some of the Lowcountry’s establishments.

GOOD DEEDS

140 : Molding Leaders

Ethics Symposium mentors students.

BENEFIT

: Rock For a Cure

Musicians help to end Parkinson’s.

dear reader,

The cool autumn weather arrives this month, and we are pleased to showcase some of the coolest aspects of the Lowcountry.

We have an inspiring art scene in our area and are fortunate to be graced with some top talent. Learn about Hilton Head Big Band, a nonprofit that helps support music education for children.

Meet Lucy Scandrett, a professional harpist who has taught at universities and played throughout the world.

Read about the history of the Art League of Hilton Head — which is celebrating 50 years — and learn about the care taken for art at Red Piano Art Gallery.

Fast becoming a Lowcountry mainstay, the month-long Crescendo Celebration of Arts & Culture begins in October. The event features unique arts and cultural programs, concerts, theatrical productions, museum and gallery exhibits, and more. A full schedule is inside this issue.

Each October we also feature the Lowcountry’s Leading Men with stories that showcase the hard work and ingenuity that help them and their businesses succeed.

There are important elections coming in November, and we offer you our guide to who’s running in state and local races so you can be prepared when voters head to the polls Nov. 8. For more information, go to vote411.org.

Fall isn’t just for football. It’s also time for hockey. The Savannah Ghost Pirates are set to debut on the ice. We have details on the professional minor league team.

The spooky season is here. To get you ready for Halloween, we offer a guide to spine-tingling stories and tips on how to carve a pumpkin to perfection.

We wish you the best and thank you for inviting us into your lives.

MEREDITH

MEREDITH

l etter

ENSURING SENIORS LIVE A NOURISHED LIFE

BY LILI COLEMAN

For the first time in U.S. history, older people are projected to outnumber children. The year 2030 will mark this important demographic turning point according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 national population projections. By then, all baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1965) will be older than age 65.

This fact alone, plus the fact that many of the older population live miles from their family members and rely on local services, drives our mission.

Seniors represent a growing segment of the hunger crisis in America. There are nearly nine million seniors facing the threat of hunger today and by 2050 this number will be nearly equal to the populations of our country’s four largest cities combined. What is more, one in four seniors live alone with one in five reporting feelings of loneliness.

In Beaufort County, 15 percent or 28,814 of the population are seniors, 33 percent or 9,509 of those seniors are living alone.

Meals on Wheels, Bluffton-Hilton Head locally addresses three of the biggest threats to our seniors and others who are homebound, inadequate nutrition, isolation, and safety. The volunteers deliver much more than a meal. They provide the safety check, a warm smile and friendly conversation, that enables those we serve to remain in their own homes, where they want to be.

Nutritious hot meals are delivered Monday through Friday, and one frozen meal for Saturdays by approximately 140 dedicated volunteer drivers. We rely on caring volunteers, who use their own vehicles, and pay for their gas and related vehicle costs to ensure clients receive daily meals. Each visit includes a wellness check and provides an opportunity to prevent social isolation, an important part of our mission.

By the end of 2022, over 36,000 meals will be delivered compared to 18,463 in the 2019 COVID outbreak. With the growing price of food, this outreach to fight food insecurity

Lili Coleman is executive director of Meals on Wheels, Bluffton-Hilton Head

faced by our most vulnerable neighbors is more critical than ever.

The need will continue to grow in our community. We know there are more people out there that need these services.

In 2021, 84.5 percent of clients were 71 years of age or older, and 58.2 percent were female. Meals are provided to 38 veterans. Clients living alone account for 105 clients, and 139 had an annual income of less than $23,000. Clients self-identifying as whiteCaucasian account for 64.5 percent of our clients, and 35.4 percent of clients are black-African, multi-racial or choose not to self-identify.

Meals on Wheels saves billions of dollars in Medicaid, health, and longterm care expenses. In fact, for every $1 invested in Meals on Wheels, we save up to $50 in Medicaid spending. The Bipartisan Policy Center ran the study with the help of Ananya Health Innovations, a health policy consulting firm, to determine how a meal-delivery benefit would affect Medicare.

The future presents several challenges. Adjusting meal offerings to represent culture, heritage, age, and dietary needs is one of the goals to better serve the clients.

Meals on Wheels, Bluffton-Hilton Head continually appraises the quality of the meals, the service, and the expanding needs of the clients.

For example, locally and nationally, personal care and combating loneliness are real threats to this population’s well-being.

Our goal is to support the whole person, ensuring that every senior and homebound resident in our community has a chance to live a fully nourished life, with independence and dignity, for as long as they are able.

Meals on Wheels, Bluffton-Hilton Head has served the local community since 1979, and we serve all prospective clients, free from discrimination and regardless of their ability to pay for meals.

MEET

NINA GREENPLATE, FEATURED WRITER

Nina Greenplate is a Pennsylvania native born with a southerner’s heart. She is a freelance writer and editor, with a great love for people and their stories. Nina is degreed in, and a student of, English literature, journalism and communications.

Poetry is a favorite, and she enjoys reading works by Mary Oliver, Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman. Several years ago, she self-published her first book of poetry entitled Bloom, and continues to write creatively each day.

Nina is second-generation Sicilian, and enjoys making homemade sauce and meatballs, although admits that’s where her culinary skills begin and end.

Island life with her husband Brian, and sons Brandon and Evan keep her happy and busy, as does her church family.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

TERRIFYING TALES

BY NINA GREENPLATE

The Lowcountry is filled with fascinating, haunting tales: from broomstick hags and ghostly pirates to headless Civil War specters seen cleaning their weapons.

The haunted tales run deep, and whatever your position on truth versus fiction, the accounts are nothing short of mysterious.

The Lighthouse and the Girl in the Blue Dress

In 1898 Lighthouse Keeper Adam Fripp was said to be tending the range light in Palmetto Dunes during a vicious hurricane. Fripp suffered a heart attack as his young daughter, Caroline, in her long blue dress, went up to search for him.

Near death, he implored her to “keep the light burning no matter how dangerous the storm.” She followed her father’s dying request but soon met her demise.

On stormy nights, sightings of a luminous girl in a blue dress have been reported moving around the lighthouse grounds. Historical transcripts reveal no Fripp ever having been a lighthouse keeper.

The Castle

This involves an Italian Renaissance mansion in Beaufort referred to as “The Castle.”

Legend has it that a mischievous court jester was exploring the new world with Jean Ribaut in the late 16th century. After the jester’s death, he attached himself to a particular home, which during the Civil War was used as a military hospital and later a morgue. Families living there reported sightings. The jester was said to often show himself to children.

PHOTO MONTHOF

multitalented musicians

BY AMY COYNE BREDESON | PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY HILTON HEAD BIG BAND

ECLECTIC ENSEMBLE OF HILTON HEAD BIG BAND HELPS SUPPORT MUSIC EDUCATION FOR KIDS

What began as a club for musicians in Hilton Head Plantation more than a decade ago has evolved into a nonprofit organization that uses its combined musical talents to support music education for children in Beaufort County.

Ellie Perry, a retired high school band director and former consultant to the U.S. Department of Education, joined the Hilton Head Plantation Big Band after seeing an announcement in the plantation’s newsletter shortly after the group was formed. When the director of the original band moved on, Perry took over and the band continued to grow from there.

“The music community is really a tight-knit group, and word spread that something was happening over there in Hilton Head Plantation,” Perry said.

Although the band’s name has changed and most of the original members are no longer involved, Perry still plays the keyboard with the band and coaches the singers as vocal section leader.

Now known as the Hilton Head Big Band, the group rehearses at Island Lutheran Church on Hilton Head Island and performs a wide array of music at events, such as the annual Italian Heritage Festival. The band uses its profits to refurbish used instruments for children who would like to learn an instrument but don’t have the money to purchase one.

The band is always looking for donations of used musical instruments, which they take to Hamner Music for repair. Owner Jaime Hamner only charges for parts; he does all the repairs free of charge. After he has repaired an instrument, he gives it to The Jazz Corner, which then gives the instrument to a child in need.

The Hilton Head Big Band also raises money for scholarships to the Junior Jazz Foundation and the Hilton Head Jazz Camp.

Perry said when the band was a Hilton Head Plantation club, they played mostly ‘40s-style music at retirement communities, such as the Cypress of Hilton Head and TidePointe. They played with the Hilton Head Shore Notes at the Hilton Head Island High School Theatre, and they performed free

concerts for plantation residents.

Now the band plays hits from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s as well as some soft jazz and pop/rock. Most of the songs will make audience members want to get up and dance.

“We want people to have as much fun as we do,” conductor and director Pete Stephenson said.

The all-volunteer Hilton Head Big Band is made up of 19 musicians, five vocalists, a lyricist and a songwriter, as well as a team of engineers, arrangers, composers and others who make sure everything runs smoothly. The band includes full saxophone, trumpet, trombone and rhythm sections.

The band’s members come from all backgrounds. There are educators, engineers, doctors and salespeople. There are retired band directors, and there are professional musicians who can be seen playing gigs around the Lowcountry. Some have even played with music legends, including Buddy Rich, James Brown and the Righteous Brothers. Vocalist Amber Cole has sung “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers games and at the Indianapolis 500.

“We’re seeing more and more people step out of their normal roles in the band,” Perry said. “They are multitalented.”

Michelle Lindberg, for example, had played in the trumpet section for a couple of years before the other band members realized she also had an amazing voice. So, now she also sings with the band.

“Talking about multitalented,” band president Roger Decelles chimed in, “John Dobson, who plays trombone, now is one of the vocalists. He also plays piano, and because he was a band director before, he sometimes directs the band as well.”

Stephenson said the band is a family affair for several members, whose spouses volunteer at concerts, collect money and work the tents at the events where they perform. Stephenson’s wife, Deb Stephenson, plays the saxophone with the band, but she also handles all the communication to band members, emailing the group about what songs they will be practicing each week.

Decelles’ wife, Donna Decelles, volunteers as well, handling a lot of the administrative side of things, collecting donated instruments and money for the mission.

“It’s the only group that I play in that really feels like a family,” Pete said. “We have our moments of disagreement, but not very often and not for very long.”

Just like a real family, band members and their spouses gather for Christmas dinner and other occasions. They have a pizza party every year at the end of their spring season.

Roger said the organization would like to do even more in the community, but it needs more support.

The most obvious — and entertaining — way to help is to attend their concerts. A portion of ticket sales will support the band’s mission. The band will perform at the Italian Heritage Festival on Oct. 22 at Honey Horn. They will also perform at a dinner dance Nov. 17 at Hilton Head Island Beach & Tennis Resort.

The second way to support the band’s mission is to donate musical instruments that are no longer being used. Finally, the band is looking for more sponsors.

“If there’s a need and we find that need, we will try to fill it,” Roger said. “Because we believe that kids need music in their lives.”

For more information, visit www.hhbigband.com. To book the band for your next event, become a sponsor or donate an instrument, call Roger Decelles at 508-320-6440 or email hhbigband@hotmail.com.

A HEART FOR

LUCY SCANDRETT’S MUSICAL CAREER

Even before greeting Hilton Head Island resident and professional harpist, Lucy Scandrett, I know she’s a master musician by the ethereal glissando I hear as I approach her front door.

Inside, there are no less than half a dozen harps of various sizes and harp-related figurines too numerous to count.

“Everybody needs a harp,” she professes, ushering me into her practice room where we maneuver around two full-size harps, one of wood, the other gold. Each weighs 80 pounds, supports 47 strings and bears seven pedals at the base.

The instrument’s benefits, she insists, include warding off arthritis, diminishing the pain of headaches and calming anxiety. There’s also the versatility of music that can be played — everything from Bach to Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.”

“The wonderful thing,” she adds, “anybody can start to play at any age.”

For Scandrett, a native of Charlotte, N.C., lessons began at the age of 3 on a Clark Irish harp, much smaller than the ones before us. Her late mother, Elizabeth Clark, was her teacher.

By the time Scandrett was 5, her mother, who played professionally, arranged for Scandrett to play a song with the Charlotte Symphony. On Sundays they both played in church while Scandrett’s father directed the choir.

“I really loved playing the harp,” she says.

When the director of the famous Barter Theatre in Virginia called looking for a harpist to play the show “The Fantasticks,” Scandrett’s mother declined but suggested they hire her 16-yearold daughter.

“They sent a truck to take me, my grandmother, and my harp to Abington, a four-hour trip, where we stayed in a lovely hotel near the playhouse,” Scandrett recalls.

With only two rehearsals, she mastered the part, thus beginning her professional career.

After obtaining a degree in Harp Performance at Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, Scandrett continued her studies at Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C., earning a Master of Music degree.

Marriage to her husband, Jack, a professional horn player (and heavy lifter who transports her harp to gigs) was followed by a move to Western Pennsylvania, where, in addition to teaching at several universities, Scandrett became the Principal Harpist for the Pittsburgh Ballet Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra, and the Civic Light Opera Orchestra.

Those years of playing in “the pit” are full of stories.

“You never know what’s going to happen,” she laughs. “My back is to the stage, so I don’t see anything; it’s also dark with tight quarters.”

During one performance of Swan Lake, dry ice was used for dramatic effect, causing a dense cloud to obscure Scandrett’s vision just as she was starting to play a solo.

HARPS

BY VICKIE MCINTYRE | PHOTO BY GUIDO FLUECK

“It’s one of those moments when you have a harp attack,” she quips.

There was also the night she was playing in a theater production when a suitcase slipped out of an actor’s hand and landed in the narrow space between her and the bass clarinet player. When the same scene approached the following night, Scandrett donned a miner’s hat, causing the conductor to double over in laughter and nearly topple off his podium.

Strings breaking? Too numerous to count, she sighs, which is why she always carries her “little black bag” containing replacements.

“I’ve had so many wonderful, amazing experiences,” she says, describing a trip with the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony to Monaco where they played for Princess Grace, who sat on stage “in a red velvet chair, surrounded by flowers.”

As part of the trio, The Three of Harps, she played at London’s Royal Academy of Music.

She’s also performed with icons like Aretha Franklin and Josh Groban, shaken hands with football giants like “Mean” Joe Greene and Franco Harris, and played for more weddings than she can count, including that of Art Rooney’s daughter.

After an opera performance featuring Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti, she caught a bouquet of flowers graciously tossed by Sutherland to acknowledge her talent.

Playing for baby showers and hospital patients has been equally rewarding.

But it was the last time she played with her mother and her daughter, Lara, that has grown more treasured over time.

“It was at a small church outside of Charlotte and really special,” she says. “My mother was a wonderful teacher.”

Scandrett’s own love of teaching and performing earned her a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 from the American Harp Society (AHS), an organization she’s been intimately involved with, serving as president for eight years and starting chapters of the organization in Pittsburgh and in the Lowcountry after retiring here in 2016.

Although her students are fewer these days, Scandrett still performs locally for public and private events.

This February at St. Andrews By-The-Sea, she joined seven other harpists from the Lowcountry Chapter of AHS, under the direction of Tim Reynolds, to premier an arrangement by world-renowned harpist, Rhett Barnwell, that celebrated Gullah culture.

“Over 400 people came,” she exclaims, adding that she hopes to “bring awareness about the harp” to as many people as possible.

With bookings already in place for 2023, her mission seems secure.

JOY CURATING

BY AMY BARTLETT | PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN

Art has the power to make us feel. At the Red Piano Art gallery in Bluffton, it’s not just the works themselves, but the knowledge and personal passion of owners Ben and Lyn Whiteside that invariably make every guest — from curious to collector to curator — take every piece to heart.

What started as a hand-sized engagement gift to now engaging a “stratospheric social circle” of collectors, the Whitesides’ zeal for great art is the beauty in the brushstroke behind South Carolina’s oldest professional gallery of fine art.

Ben and Lyn Whiteside’s relationship with the gallery, which was established in 1969, began when Ben was delivering picture framing in the 1980s, and Lyn wanted

RED PIANO ART GALLERY TAKES EACH PIECE TO HEART

to acquire a piece as a gift to celebrate becoming engaged.

“I called the gallery to see if he had ever remarked about any of the paintings,” says now wife Lyn Whiteside, “and ended up purchasing my first original piece of art — a painting by Ray Ellis which was about the size of a recipe card. I could barely afford it. We had no idea that about a dozen years later, in 2002, we would own the gallery” and still be running it as avid influencers another 20 years on.

As extensive as their reach and reputation have become (the gallery has sold to Oprah Winfrey, Ron Howard and Stephen Spielberg, to name a few), the caliber of art on Calhoun Street can be a surprise to newcomers.

“We’ll have guests who are shocked by the artists we have in the collection — painters like Stephen Scott Young or Jonathan Green. They’ll sometimes ask, ‘Is this authentic?’ to which the underlying question is, ‘Is this fake?’ I ask them if they’d like to see a video of it being painted,” recounts Ben Whiteside, painting his own proverbial picture of the art scene in Bluffton. “It’s amazing who wanders in (like the executive director of the Frick Collection museum in New York), or how we establish long-term relationships we can continue to pour into over the years as collectors and hosts of other artists, in an incredible arts community here in the Lowcountry.”

One of 10 galleries in Bluffton, and with Ben Whiteside serving as President of the Bluffton Merchants Society, he points out the synergy in the artists community.

Lyn adds: “The best part of the Lowcountry art scene is the incredible artists who live and paint here, as well as those who live all over the country and choose to come here to paint the magical natural environment. We are incredibly fortunate to have collectors who have been collecting with us for nearly 30 years.”

The Whitesides speak with a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm but never more so than speaking of the art and artists themselves, provoking a visceral conversation.

“It’s emotional,” offers Ben. “When you have a physical response to a visual stimulus, that response emerges as pure emotion – love, joy, anger. That’s what we do – we dispense happiness and joy. It’s a quality-of-life statement that if you have the interest and means to surround yourself with things that cause joy, why wouldn’t you?”

Lyn echoes, “Art is not only our business but our shared passion and hobby. Ben and I often talk about our business and art over morning coffee. Coming to ‘work’ is different every day and never boring. Meeting art lovers and collectors, working with artists, and helping buyers add to their collection is all truly a privilege.”

Lyn shared that her father once told her to “pick a job that you love.” Because they have both done so, investing decades of incomparable contribution to the art world and a Hilton Head original gallery, they’ve curated an elevated art experience for the Southeast and beyond.

Whether it’s a “new dry brush from Stephen Scott Young out of Bermuda (“The Little Scarf”) or the work of sculptors like Jane DeDecker, who also has installations up the coast at the well-known Brookgreen Gardens (Est. 1932), there is, as Ben Whiteside specifies, “something here to speak to the heart of every lover of art.”

Ben Whiteside stands next to a Jonathan Green painting.

Inspiring creativity

BY VICKIE MCINTYRE | PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN

Live Art. Love Art. Learn Art. That’s the motto of Art League of Hilton Head, currently celebrating its 50th anniversary and hosting a celebratory gala at the end of the month.

Everyone — residents and visitors alike — is invited to

attend, which is a sentiment that extends to their numerous programs and classes as well.

“You don’t have to be an artist,” insists Kristen McIntosh, General Manager. “You can just appreciate art.” Sprouting from an informal gathering of nine people at

Art League of Hilton Head General Manager Kristen McIntosh.

the Red Piano Gallery, spearheaded by artist Walter Greer in 1971, the Art League has matured into a premier visual arts organization that offers everything from classes and workshops to guest lectures and receptions by renowned artists.

The first “official” meeting was held on May 24, 1972, followed by an outdoor show at Harbour Town the following spring. Robust community support pushed membership to explode from 30 to 300 by 1976.

Thanks to a generous donation by Joe Fraser, the Art League opened its first gallery in 1984 in a storefront next to Forsythe Jewelers in Sea Pines.

Expansion and relocation became the trend for the next few decades, including moves to Sea Pines Plantation Center (1993) and Pineland Station (2000).

In 2003, the Art League opened the Art Academy on Cordillo Parkway, where it continues to hold classes, and in 2010 the headquarters and Art Gallery moved to its current location inside the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina.

Rosemary Kimball, who got involved with the organization 27 years ago after retiring here with her husband, has seen the evolution firsthand.

“When I joined the Art League, it was in Sea Pines Center, and I took some classes. I volunteered once a week and pretty soon I was the gallery manager,” she said.

Eventually serving on the board for eight years, Kimball fondly recalls some of her favorite events.

“We started the Fabulous Fakes, where artists copied originals by famous people like Monet and Picasso,” she says. “Then they’d make a slight change to it — maybe adding a necklace or the Art League logo.”

The paintings were then displayed and sold as a fundraiser.

“It was a very unique and well-attended event,” she adds. “We also used to do boat cruises and dinner parties, as well as art studio tours.”

Kimball says one of her greatest joys has been meeting so many talented people, including artists Ray Ellis, Nancy Wittke, and Suzanne Plowden.

Pat Batten, recently retired as the League’s President, concurs.

“I love the camaraderie,” she says, adding that she got to know founding member Walter Greer quite well and considered him not only a “good artist but a true Southern gentleman.”

Her biggest pleasure was “attending the receptions and watching student artists grow.”

She’s also grateful that a wall at the Gallery has been dedicated to Gullah art.

Although now living in New Jersey, Batten is still on the board and says she’ll always have an affection for the organization.

“It’s personal when you get to know the artists,” she adds, “and a great place to buy local art.”

Today the organization boasts nearly 500 members and is unique in that there is no jury process for displaying members’ art in the gallery.

“It’s a chance to take your hobby to the next level,” says Amy Wehrman, Manager of the Art League Academy. “There’s something for everyone — stained glass, painting, jewelry-making — and although everything is taught by professionals, classes are low-stress and very supportive.”

The spacious Academy is filled with long rectangular worktables as well as rental lockers where artists can store supplies, an extensive art library, and gallery space that rotates the work of instructors.

“Come January we hope to bring back our open studio,” adds Wehrman. “It’s a special place — an encouraging community.”

Janice Gray, chairperson for the Gala at the Sonesta Resort on Oct. 29, hopes more community members will get involved with the Art League and suggests joining the celebration.

“It’s a momentous occasion,” she says. “We’ve gone from all-volunteer to having a professional staff and heightened quality of artwork.”

In addition to dinner and dancing to the music of DeasGuyz, there will be a video presentation, various raffles, and plenty of time to make new friends.

For more information, visit ArtLeagueHHI.org.

Animation Education

FILMMAKER

BY CLAY BONNYMAN EVANS | PHOTOS SUPPLIED

The “Despicable Me” animated film franchise debuted in 2010, introducing the world to the pill-shaped, yellow “Minions,” among the most widely recognized and beloved cultural touchstones of the early 21st century.

Now at five films — “Despicable Me 2” (2013), “Minions” (2015), “Despicable Me 3” (2017) and “Minions: The Rise of Gru” (2022) — with a sixth scheduled for release in 2023, it is the highest-grossing animated film franchise of all time.

So, imagine the excitement when students in Lauren Vaccaro’s English and theater classes at Heritage Academy on Hilton Head Island learned that Dave Rosenbaum, who oversaw the stories for the first three “Minions: movies for Illumination Entertainment, provided the voice for the character Fabrice in “Minions” and has played a key role in other huge hits, including “The Lorax,” would visit their classes in August.

“The kids were so excited and inspired; about the Minions,

definitely, but The Lorax is a big thing for them, too,” Vaccaro says.

Vaccaro has been friends with Rosenbaum since they met as freshman in 1992 at the University of Richmond, where they were later onstage together, performing the classic “Waiting for Godot.”

Rosenbaum, now chief creative officer for the multi-national digital entertainment studio Cinesite, spent six hours with Vaccaro’s students, discussing and answering questions about the creative process, the importance of storytelling and the many ways to contribute to a successful film.

“Many had the perception that ‘Hollywood’ is made up of variations of Spielberg or Zendaya, when in reality it’s no different than Hilton Head with opportunities for future lawyers, accountants, writers, marketers, painters and hair stylists,” Rosenbaum, 48, says via email while traveling in Italy. “They

perked up when they realized people just like them make the films they love.”

“I think the coolest thing he did was explain to the kids that every production starts with a story,” says Vaccaro. “He said, ‘When we come up with the idea for a movie, we’re doing exactly what we’re doing right here, sitting around a table, throwing out ideas.’”

Rosenbaum noted that comedy can be about more than tickling funny bones.

“They had a communal enthusiasm for Minions and shared big laughs … remembering some of their favorite scenes,” he says. “But they also understood the comedy smuggled a story about a villain whose cold heart thaws because of the love of three orphans. This led to a conversation about finding ways to better communicate, maybe through comedy, to deliver a message they might have.”

He talked about different ways to tell a story, noting differences between the “Minion” movies and his recent animated Netflix film, Riverdance, which he calls “a musical without lyrics.”

“Not all stories need words,” he says, “and like paintings in a gallery, animation relies heavily on visuals. Riverdance … relies on physical performance to deliver its story and speaks through interpretation, evocative energy and the music itself.”

He encouraged the students to do what they love.

“When you love what you do, you put everything into it, and those you’re trying to reach feel it,” he says.

He also had high praise for the way Vaccaro uses her theater background in the classroom.

“Like a good filmmaker, she knows her audience and how to draw them in to hear what she has to say,” Rosenbaum says. “They’re so lucky to have someone like Lauren Vaccaro and everyone at Heritage Academy to guide them in these transformative years.”

UNDERSTAND THE CHANGES FOR STUDENT FINANCIAL AID

BY THOMAS DOWLING

Anyone who has been through the application process applying for financial aid for college recognizes that it is a frustrating and confusing process.

As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, recently approved new provisions were included to help students and parents apply and receive financial aid for college.

The updated FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be available starting Oct. 1, and most of the new provisions should go into effect for the 20232024 academic year.

The FAFSA application is a form completed by current and incoming college students to determine their eligibility for financial aid. The number of questions on the FAFSA form will be reduced from 108 to no more than 36, along with a more user-friendly site and process.

Also, the term Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is now referred to as Student Aid Index (SAI). This is because the final calculation did not actually determine what a family can afford to pay; it was meant to help

SAVINGS$ASSISTANCE

determine aid eligibility. The belief is this new name will more accurately reflect what the calculation represents.

INCOME PROTECTION ALLOWANCE: The Income Protection Allowance is a “cushion” amount that is not counted as income in the financial-aid formula. The Parental Income Protection Allowance increases by 20% and the Student Income Protection Allowance increases by 35%.

UNTAXED INCOME: Grandparent “untaxed income” has often hurt students applying for financial aid. This occurs when a grandparent owns a 529 Plan with the grandchild as the beneficiary. When the grandparent provides money from the 529 Plan to pay for the grandchild’s school expenses, this was considered ‘untaxed income’ to the grandchild in the following year and could, and likely would, reduce the amount of financial aid received by the student. Now, starting for the 2024-2025 award year, that distribution will no longer

count as untaxed income which could increase the amount received in financial aid for the student.

Additionally, workers’ comp and veterans’ education benefits will no longer be counted toward untaxed income.

CHILD SUPPORT: In cases where child support is received, the income will now be considered part of your assets instead of income. Assets are assessed at a lower rate than income; therefore, for certain students it could mean more money received in financial aid.

FINANCIAL AID APPEAL: There are also changes to the financial aid appeal. All colleges are now required to hear appeals; therefore, colleges and their financial aid offices can no longer maintain a policy of denying all financial aid appeals. Hopefully, this will increase the amount of financial aid that is awarded..

PELL GRANTS: The Department of Education awards Pell Grants based on the Expected Family Contribution calculated on the FAFSA. In the past it could take some time to find out eligibility, but now a student will be able to look up, even before they apply for aid, whether they can expect to receive a Pell grant

Often when you receive benefits, there may be some that are taken away:

‘DISCOUNTS’: You will no longer receive discounts based on the number of children attending college at the same time. In the past, if your EFC was calculated as $40K and you had two children in college at the same time, it could be reduced to $20K per child. This will no longer happen. Without that reduction it would be $40K per child.

DIVORCED PARENTS: Currently, if a student’s parents are divorced, it is the custodial parent who completed the FAFSA form, using his or her assets and income. After the changes take effect, it will be the parent who provides the most financial support who completes the FAFSA. And in situations where the support is equal between parents, it will be the parent with the higher Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).

For more details, visit fsapartners.ed.gov, savingforcollege.com or forbes.com/advisor/studentloans/fafsa-changes.

Thomas M. Dowling CFA, CFP®, CIMA® is Head of Wealth Management with Alliance Global Partners. Visit allianceglobalplanning.com

move on the

1. MEMORY MATTERS NAMES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jill Horner was named executive director of Memory Matters. She was recently the executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Western New York. Horner also spent 17 years working for a national political advertising agency where she led campaigns, ballot initiatives, and public affairs for candidates running for political office.

2. THE SEABROOK NAMES DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Don Myhan has joined The Seabrook of Hilton Head as director of human resources. He has more than 40 years of human resources experience in the private sector and as a consultant. Myhan will be responsible for The Seabrook’s employee relations, HR policies, recruiting, benefits, organizational development, and more. Myhan is a native of Muscle Shoals, Ala.

3. JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL WELCOMES ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AND BOYS HOOPS COACH

Louise Sanders has been named athletic director and Alan Lewis is the new boys varsity basketball coach at John Paul II Catholic School. Sanders has for more than five years been the girls volleyball coach, with four years as head coach and one year as the JV coach. She also has been head coach of the boys JV soccer team and assistant coach of the boys varsity soccer team. Lewis has coached for 23 years. He most recently served as assistant headmaster for student life at Storm King School, a private boarding school in Cornwall-on-Hudson, N.Y.

4. USCB CENTER FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING ADDS FACILITATOR Thomas W. Lennox has joined the University of South Carolina Beaufort’s Center for Strategic Planning as a facilitator. Lennox has 40 years of experience in commercial banking and finance. He graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor’s in economics, and from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Delaware.

5. THE SEABROOK HIRES SAFETY AND SECURITY MANAGER Jeff Gulakowski was hired by The Seabrook of Hilton Head as its safety and security manager. The new department will be responsible for patrolling the 21-acre property, taking important resident calls, and

SANDERS STAUFFER MARZ

maintaining the front gate house. Gulakowski had 31 years of service with the FBI.

6. ISLAND RECREATION CENTER NAMES BOARD CHAIRMAN Steve Stauffer, managing executive of McGriff Insurance Services, has been elected chairman of the Board of the Island Recreation Center for 2022-2023. The non-profit Hilton Head Island Recreational Association produces, provides and coordinates public recreation programs, “wellness” activities and community events.

7. TCL HIRES NEW LEADER CULINARY INSTITUTE OF THE SOUTH The Technical College of the Lowcountry hired Chef Francine Marz to serve as Dean of the Culinary Institute of the South. Chef Marz has more than 30 years of industry experience, most recently serving as Culinary Director for Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pa. Marz is a South Carolina native. She replaces Chef Miles Huff who retired in June, after working to launch the Culinary Institute of the South, which opened in November of 2021.

8. MOSS CREEK APPOINTS EXECUTIVE CHEF

Stephen Stewart has been named executive chef at the Moss Creek Community. He will oversee the culinary operations for the newly renovated clubhouse (opening Spring 2023), Mackay Creek Grill, marina and poolside casual dining, and various member special events. Chef Stewart previously worked for Discovery Senior Living as a corporate chef/ culinary specialist.

9. HILTON HEAD PREP ADDS DIRECTOR OF SECURITY

Hiram Rodriguez was hired by Hilton Head Prep as Director of Security and Transportation. He brings 30 years of experience with Miami Dade Police where he served in numerous roles. The school said it is also “making a significant investment in campus safety” with a variety of initiatives, including upgraded cameras and locks.

10. JUNIOR LEAGUE OF SAVANNAH NAMES PRESIDENT

Elizabeth Summerell was named president of the Junior League of Savannah. Summerell is a manager of Assurance Services for Marcum LLP and has volunteered with several local organizations, including United Way of the Coastal Empire, Rotary Club of Metropolitan Savannah.

RODRIGUEZ

Hilton Head Insurance & Brokerage

Expanding Our Horizons

When Gary Davis and Jeff Hedden started Hilton Head Insurance & Brokerage over seven years ago, they had no idea it would be the size it has become today. They recently hired their tenth employee, and none of it would have been possible without your business. “As we continue to service all our policies and customers in house and strive to provide the highest level of customer service, we just want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” Hedden said.

“Our goal has remained the same: to provide amazing insurance products at a competitive rate while going above and beyond to exceed our customers’ expectations.” Hilton Head Insurance & Brokerage has just launched a dedicated account manager for each client to help better serve their individual needs.

Introducing Our new Life and Financial Services Division

Led by Jessica Baker

“We are really excited about this new division to help round out the services we offer at Hilton Head Insurance & Brokerage. If you are interested in any insurance product or any financial service, we would love to meet you! Stop by our office Monday through Friday to meet William, Travers, Coley, and Jessica. Thank you again for your continued support!”

Jeff Hedden

William Hilton Parkway

SAVE THE DATE

18th Annual Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival: The festival is a week-long event offering a myriad of activities, showcasing the locally harvested seafood, delicious Lowcountry cuisine, rich history, culture and art of the area and Southern hospitality found only in Bluffton. Oct. 22-23.

Bluffton Night Bazaar: Lowcountry Made’s newest artisan market — the Bluffton Night Bazaar — will be held under twinkling lights in the courtyard of Burnt Church Distillery from 5-8 p.m. the first Thursday of each month October-December. Oct 6 & 20.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Walk together to end Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Registration is at 10:00, Walk starts at 11:00. Register today at http://act.alz.org/walk and earn this year’s t-shirt to wear at the event. Oct 29. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

IN THE

know

THE PLAN FOR THE U.S. 278 PROJECT WAS ADJUSTED, A VACATIONER DIED IN A FIRE ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND, AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT’S STUDENTS EARNED HIGH SCORES. HERE’S WHAT MADE NEWS DURING THE PAST MONTH:

U.S. 278 POSSIBLE PROJECT CHANGES

The Beaufort County public facilities committee voted to narrow the scope of the U.S. 278 Corridor project down to Moss Creek through Windmill Harbor. At a County Council meeting in mid-September, County Council Chairman Joe Passiment said a memorandum of understanding has been sent from Beaufort County to the town of Hilton Head Island, with the hope of reaching an agreement on the project.

A vote on the proposed MOU was planned for Sept. 26, after our print deadline. The county wants to build one six-lane bridge, the town wants two three-lane bridges. Passiment said in a statement that he hopes the MOU “strengthens the relationship between the two professional staffs and creates the best possible outcome for all our residents.”

BLUFFTON HIGH RETIRES JERSEY NUMBER OF STUDENT KILLED IN SHOOTING

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

FATAL FIRE AT PALMETTO DUNES

HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES 2022-2023 SEASON

The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra 2022-2023 season will include concert pairs of the nine Orchestra Series programs, free outdoor Symphony Under The Stars Pops concerts, and Hilton Head International Piano Competition. The HHSO will offer the Coastal Home Supper Club series and a new Gullah Cultural Series at its intimate performance space, SoundWaves at Coligny Plaza. Tickets are available for most concerts. The season kicks off with two free outdoor “Symphony Under The Stars” Pops concerts: Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Martin Family Park in Bluffton and Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m., at Lowcountry Celebration Park at Coligny. For more information, visit hhso. org, or call 843-842-2055.

A 63-year-old Missouri man died Sept. 9 after an early morning fire in Palmetto Dunes. Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue said three occupants of the home at 1 Dinghy Lane evacuated before Fire Rescue arrived, one was rescued from the second floor and another occupant was transported to a hospital with serious injuries.

The man was found deceased upon the initial search of the home. The damage to the home was extensive.

HHSO MUSIC DIRECTOR JOHN MORRIS RUSSELL

S.C. Law Enforcement Division is conducting the fire investigation in conjunction with Beaufort County Sherriff’s Office and Fire Rescue.

EVICTION OF CHIMNEY COVE DELAYED

Residents of the Chimney Cove Village were not expected to be evicted in September, as originally planned. Eviction notices to residents of the low-income apartment complex on Hilton Head Island were rescinded according to a letter they received from management. News of the pending evictions spurred the community to action, including non-profits, religious organizations and businesses. The town of Hilton Head said Christ Lutheran Church and the Deep Well Project established funds to accept monetary donations to be used to help with relocation costs, storage of belongings, and rental deposits. It is likely the property will eventually be sold.

SCHOOL DISTRICT SEES HIGH STATE TEST SCORES

The Beaufort County School District said results of the South Carolina Palmetto Assessment of State Standards in Science and the South Carolina College-and Career-Ready Assessments examinations in English Language Arts and Mathematics show “a period of academic recovery from the pandemic,” noting that in all grades but one, ELA scores are the highest in the school district’s history since the inception of SC Ready in 2016. ELA and mathematics and science scores are equal to or greater than the state’s in all grade levels.

GOLF CARTS PROPOSAL IN BLUFFTON FAILS

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

RBC HERITAGE TICKETS ON SALE

Tickets are on sale for the 55th RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. The event

WIRTH, WITH HER DAUGHTER AND GRANDSON

is set for April 10-16, 2023 over the famed Harbour Town Golf Links. The tickets will be 100% digital. Make a purchase by Oct. 15 to be entered into the Ultimate RBC Heritage Experience Sweepstakes, which includes a chance to win accommodations for two at the Inn and Club at Harbour Town and Calibogue Club ticket upgrades. Purchase tickets by visiting www. rbcheritage.com.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HONORS FORMER PRESIDENT AND CEO

The Board of Directors of Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity unveiled the house named in honor of retired President and CEO, Pat Wirth. The Patricia Carey Wirth House is a celebration of the nearly two decades Wirth spent at the helm of this affiliate, leading tremendous growth in providing simple, decent housing for so many families in southern Beaufort and Jasper counties.

During her years of dedicated service, 54 houses were built in Bluffton and another 14 houses were built in Ridgeland.

In addition, Wirth worked with the Town of Hilton Head to secure a donation of land for the first Habitat community on the Island. The Glen, being built in two phases, will ultimately be the home for 32 families.

H.E. TRASK BOAT LANDING REPAIR PROJECT COMPLETED

The H. E. Trask Boat Landing is open to the public. The cost of the project was expected to cost $288,609. Part of the cost is funded by a Hospitality Tax Grant ($52,309) with the balance of $236,299 covered by the Public Works Department. Beaufort County is conducting a survey of boat ramp users.

For more information, visit them online Beaufortcountysc.gov.

US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR AIRPORT MARKETING

The U.S. Department of Transportation selected Hilton Head Island Airport as a recipient of a $250,000 grant award for marketing. The federal grant will educate travelers about the benefits of flying directly to the island’s airport.

Fall

MERCURY

Age: 1 year old

Gender: Female

Weight: 40 pounds

Breed: Hound Mix

Temperament: Bouncy, excited about everything, energetic, loving, playful.

COLLEEN

Age: 8 years old

Gender: Female

Weight: 9 pounds

Breed: Domestic Short Hair

Temperament: Very shy and reserved at first, but very affectionate and loyal once she feels more comfortable.

H STATE HOUSE :

Running unopposed: Bill Herbkersman (R), District 118 (Beaufort, Jasper) (scstatehouse.gov); Weston Newton (R), District 120 (Beaufort) (scstatehouse.gov); and Jeff Bradley (R), District 123 (Beaufort) (scstatehouse.gov).

H STATE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

Lisa Ellis (D) is a candidate for the Alliance Party. On her website, she lists the following priorities: “educational outcomes;” partnerships between parents and schools; keeping public funds in public schools; staff and teacher recruitment and retention; school health; school censorship; mental health; and school safety. (lisaforsc.com/platform).

Ellen Weaver (R) says on her website that her STP Plan “… is all about good oldfashioned common sense. It will revolutionize education in South Carolina by prioritizing students, supporting teachers, and empowering parents.” (ellenforeducation.com)

Patricia M Mickel (Green) is also on the ballot. She had not responded to Ballotpedia or the League of Women’s voter by press time.

H BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL

District 06 Alphonso Small Jr. (D) and Tab Tabernik (R) compete for this council seat. Smalls, a former correctional and police officer, says on his website that he is concerned about skyrocketing housing costs, unchecked growth and congested highways. (electalphonsosmall.com)

Tabernik advocates “smart growth, steadfast leadership and accountable governance” on his website. (tabforcouncil.com)

District 11 Cathy A. McClellan (D) and Tommy Reitz (R) are vying for this council seat. McClellan is advocating transparency; recruiting and retaining a sustainable workforce; public transportation options; affordable and workforce housing; health care cooperatives; incentives for retaining a trained and able workforce; and a balanced approach to development that preserves the culture and unique character of Hilton Head and Beaufort County.

Reitz proposes to protect and preserve the environment and natural resources of Beaufort County; be a voice for the residents of the island; and full transparency and honesty. He also wants to make sure the “right decision is made about the 278 Corridor Expansion so as to not negatively impact this island.” (tomhhi.com).

Running Unopposed Joseph Passiment (R), District 5; Paula Brown (R), District 8; Mark Lawson (R); District 9; and Larry McElynn (R), District 10.

H BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

District 10: Melvin Campbell, incumbent, faces challengers from Elizabeth Hey and Peter Kristian. The League of Women Voters asked the candidates about several critical schoolrelated issues, including safety.

Campbell said the board should work with the legislature to keep guns “in safe and responsible hands.” He also called “Intense noninvasive background checks” necessary. Kristian said it should be policy that the superintendent works with the county sheriff to devise programs and strategies to keep schools safe. He is not in favor of arming teachers but said school resource officers “should be equipped with all the tools and authority needed to keep our students and teachers safe.”

Hey did not respond to the League by press time. She has a Facebook candidate page.

Running Unopposed: Rachel Wisnefski, District 7 and Carlton Dallas, District 8.

Herbkersman

Newton

Bradley

Ellis

Weaver

Mickel

Small Tabernik

McClellan

Reitz

Brown Lawson McElynn

Passiment

Cambell

Wisnefski

Hey Dallas

Kristian

H OTHER COUNTY ELECTIONS

County Treasurer: Incumbent Maria Walls is running unopposed.

Auditor: David Cadd is running unopposed. Cadd, a 30-year military veteran, has served as Deputy Auditor for five years. (cadd4auditor.com)

Probate Judge: Heather Galvin is unopposed.

Sheriff: PJ Tanner is unopposed. He has been county sheriff since 1998.

H HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Mayor Mayor John McCann decided not to seek reelection.

Thomas J. Cleary III served in the Army for 27 years, according to his website (clearyformayorhhi.com). He moved to the island in 2020. He told the League of Women Voters that his five-year vision is: “That Hilton Head Island reaches an equilibrium between the residents of Hilton Head Island and the business community, especially tourism. Rehabilitate current infrastructure and balance new construction against the limited size of the Island, maintaining its natural beauty. Hilton Head Island is a safe community with a stellar right-sized, agile Hilton Head Island Police Force.”

Josephine Ann Orischak, a former member of the Beaufort County School Board, said her five-year vision “would prioritize land preservation, solutions to worker shortages, and seeing the corridor/bridge project to fruition.”

Alan Perry and Michael Santomauro were both candidates for mayor in 2018. Perry moved to the island in 1975. He is a mortgage loan originator at Mortgage Network, according to LinkedIn. Perry, on his website, said his priorities are Islander housing, transparency, protection of the natural environment, community development cooperation and recreation, arts and history. (mayorperry.com). Santomauro, a self-proclaimed free speech advocate, gained local notoriety during his 2018 run for mayor for having questioned aspects of the Holocaust. He had not responded at press time. He has a Facebook candidate page.

Town Council

Ward 2 Stephen C. Arnold and Patsy Brison are vying for the seat. Brison listed “Island Capacity” as an issue saying the town needs to limit congestion and protect the island’s environment. Another issue, she said, is “Island Resiliency” with flooding being a big problem. She also listed as concerns: workforce housing and beach preservation and protection. (patsybrisonhhi.com). Arnold, on his website, Arnold said he’s running to bring a “younger voice to the table.” His top priorities are to bring balance to conversations and decisions “made for our community’s residents.” (www.arnoldhhi.com).

Ward 4 Incumbent Tamara Becker is facing a challenge from Kim Likins, director of the Hilton Head Island Boys & Girls Club and former holder of the council seat. The candidates had not responded at press time.

Becker has served on Town Council since 2018

and has lived on Hilton Head Island for 13 years. If reelected, she says on her website, she will continue to “put residents first” and work to stop overdevelopment. She would also pursue the best solutions to completing the U.S. 278 corridor project without compromising “our Island character, future and the Native Islander Communities.” Other priorities include supporting arts and culture; protecting the environment and wildlife; finding the best solution for workforce housing; and guaranteeing fiscal responsibility. (beckerhhi.com)

Likins, who ran for mayor in 2018, served as Mayor Pro Tem from 2010-2018. She has a Facebook candidate page and website. (votelikins.com)

Ward 5 Stephen J. Alfred faces Chuck Dowd. Alfred said traffic problems on the Sea Pine Circle remain an issue. He said he would work with the outside traffic consultants currently preparing proposed solutions. As a council member, he would also review Town zoning laws to reduce unlimited commercial development and short-term rentals, lower speed limits on major roads, and find more off-site parking for beachgoers. Other issues include the expansion of workforce housing, completing the U.S. 278 corridor project, planning for better drainage/stormwater solutions to diminish future coastal flooding, and supporting cultural affairs.

Dowd had not responded to the League at press time. He has a Facebook candidate page.

Public Service District. Running unopposed: Ibrahim Abdul-Malik, District 1; Frank Turano, District 3 and Michael Marks, District 4.

Galvin

Tanner ClearyCadd

Walls

Arnold Brison BeckerPerry Santomauro

Orischak

Alfred TuranoDowd

MarksLikins Abdul-Malik

OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT

COMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND BELOVED HANDYMAN WALLY SUMNER

BY MARK E. LETT | PHOTOS BY LAURA R. WILSON

Stroke victim Walter Sumner is taking a long, hard road to recovery.

The good news: He’s not traveling alone and he’s picking up speed.

Family, loved ones and friends — from Sumner’s neighborhood in the Alljoy community to his Upstate acquaintances — are supporting his difficult recuperation with hope, prayers, kind words and donations.

After all, it was Walter — “Wally, Wally” to some — who unfailingly offered his friendship and a handyman’s help over the years.

Appreciative friends say the affection shown Sumner is testament to the power of “paying it forward.” It certainly provides heartfelt evidence that a community cares deeply about a man of good will who has met with bad times.

Sumner, a master carpenter, was hospitalized in May by a spinal stroke that left him paralyzed from the neck down. The medical tragedy left him in critical condition in a Savannah hospital bed.

Since then, as the days stretched into weeks and months, Sumner’s life-saving treatment has been a grueling mix of medical devices, special nutrients, therapies and exercises to promote healing and support his breathing, speech, kidneys and movement.

As summer moved into fall, family and friends reported the intense care was succeeding. The 64-year-old Sumner steadily

showed signs of improvement.

“His brain is working and he’s as sharp as a tack,” Sumner’s son Weston, said after a mid-summer hospital visit. “It’s amazing.

“He’s determined to come back stronger than ever. His spirit is way younger than his age.”

Modern medicine has been essential, said Walter’s wife, Diane Owens. So, too, has been the kindness of caring friends and family.

Among those, a couple who drove to Savannah from the South Carolina Upstate to visit Sumner, who hails from their Woodruff-area community.

“I am so grateful for all of Bluffton and all the support from so many,” said Owens. “There are still wonderful people out there in the world.”

Sumner’s absence from the Alljoy community was felt immediately. Known as a neighbor of good will and good works, Sumner is quick to welcome newcomers and even quicker to lend a hand when and where needed — from hosting receptions for newcomers to helping neighbors with repairs and grass mowing.

A Bluffton area resident for more than four decades, Walter and Diane are selfless, self-styled friendly faces in an eclectic neighborhood.

The couple was seen frequently cruising the Alljoy and Bluffton streets in their golf cart, joined by Lila the Pig.

PHOTO BY GUID0 FLUECK

“She’s my chemo pig,” said Diane, who survived a 2013 bout with breast cancer.

“Walter was right by my side, backing me the whole time, and I’m right there with him now.”

The couple suffered an additional setback just days after Walter’s stroke in May, when the medical office where Diane worked was closed, leaving her unemployed and uninsured.

Friends and family swung into action with a “Go Fund Me” page, a fund-raising event and donations of time and money.

“Wally is known for helping those in need, is always ready to lend a helping hand and often does random acts of kindness for the elderly or widows in our village,” says a message on the GoFundMe page. “Together, we can help keep Walter and Diane afloat in this storm, and it will take all of us pitching in when, how, and where we can.”

Contributions — including those from the GoFundMe page and a July cornhole tournament and fundraiser at the Cheap Seats Tavern — raised tens of thousands of dollars.

Laura R. Wilson, a friend instrumental in organizing support for Walter and Diane, said the community is “standing strong” for the couple.

“We all have stories about how Walter helped us out in one way or another,” she said. “Sometimes, he would just roll up and start helping out, no matter what was needed and without being asked.

“Now, the people whose lives he has touched are trying to pay it forward as best we can.”

“I’ve lived all over South Carolina,” he said. “And the Lowcountry — and its people — are the best.”

DIANE OWENS WITH WALLY SUMNER.

DIANE WITH WALLY AND LILA THE PIG.

DIANE OWENS WITH LILA.

community connection

HOSPICE BRINGS LIVE MUSIC TO YOUNG PATIENT

Hospice Care of the Lowcountry brought a special music performance to Josh, a young bedbound hospice patient, who used to work in the music industry prior to his terminal diagnosis. After much planning and organizing, led by case manager Shannon Rhodes, RN, a private concert was performed inside Josh’s room. “I wanted Josh to be able to enjoy just a few more good moments on this earth and music was his first love,” Rhodes said.

ALL SAINTS GARDEN TOUR SEEKS NONPROFITS

The All Saints Garden Tour is contributing to local charities and is looking for nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations that serve Beaufort and Jasper counties to apply for grants. A completed application form is due Nov. 15. Visit allsaintsgardentour.com The next garden tour is May 20, 2023.

NEW COMMUNITY MARKET PLANNED FOR HHI

A new farmers market is set to debut on Hilton Head Island on Oct. 1. The Hilton Head Community Market will be held at Shelter Cove Community Park every Saturday, from

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The market will feature local farmers and growers and feature a limited number of local artisans and makers, a news release said.

DAVID LAUDERDALE RECEIVES PEGGY MAY INSPIRATION AWARD

The Board of the Foundation of Educational Excellence presented the 2022 Peggy May Inspiration Award to David Lauderdale for his “creativity, contributions, and passion throughout the Beaufort County communities over many decades as a journalist.” Lauderdale is a retired senior editor and columnist at The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. He served as Hilton Head Island’s St. Patrick’s Parade grand marshal in 2019.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB CHARITY EVENT ADDS PICKLEBALL

The Ted Flach Memorial Candy Cane Classic, an annual tournament benefitting the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island, has expanded to include pickleball. In its 22nd year, this fundraiser has raised more than $850,000. The event is set for Dec. 3 at the Sea Pines Country Club. For more information, visit bgchiltonhead.org/events

LOW COUNTRY KAPPA DELTA ALUMNAE CHAPTER DONATES TO BLUFFTON SELF HELP

The Low Country Kappa Delta Alumnae Chapter collected food and personal items to donate to Bluffton Self Help’s Stock the Market Food Drive. The BSH Market provides neighbors with healthy, nutritious groceries once a week. The Low Country KD Alumnae Chapter is a diverse group of communityminded women who live in Jasper and Beaufort counties.

THE HOSPITAL AUXILIARY DONATES $16,000 TO USCB NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS

The Hospital Auxiliary presented a check to USCB for $16,000, which was part of a Power:Ed grant given to local nonprofits that help South Carolina students succeed. Four qualified nursing students each received $4,000.

RACHAEL NEWMAN STUDIOS WINS BEST OF SHOW AWARD

Rachael Newman, artist and owner of Rachael Newman Studios, received the Best of Show and Best of Category awards for painting at the Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts in August. The Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts is considered one of the top

LAUDERDALE (FIFTH FROM LEFT) RECEIVES AWARD

NEWMAN

USCB

outdoor fine-art festivals in the Midwest and boasts a juried art exhibition featuring 135 artists from all over the United States, a news release said. Newman paints atmospheric seascapes that emanate nature, water, creativity and solitude.

SUN CITY HILTON HEAD COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION WINS AWARD

The Sun City Hilton Head Community Association was named a winner in Ragan’s Video, Visual and Virtual Awards in the Educational Video category. Ragan’s Video, Visual & Virtual Awards celebrates the video, visual design and virtual events that connect with audiences. The Sun City HH Community Association was chosen for the Sun City Hurricane Education Video Series.

The Association, in partnership with Bluffton-based company Crescent Moon Pictures, Inc., produced six videos to educate residents about hurricane preparedness and what to do in the event of a storm.

UNITED WAY, SCDSS CONNECTING RESIDENTS THROUGH TEXT SERVICE

United Way of South Carolina has partnered with S.C. Department of Social Services (SCDSS) to launch a texting feature that connects people to social services resources through mobile devices. SCDSS is using United Way’s 2-1-1 service, which is an automated texting platform. Residents can connect with information on foster care support and reporting child or adult abuse quickly and efficiently.

To find out more about SC 2-1-1, visit www.sc211.org.

LEADING MEN LOW COUNTRY

This month, Monthly puts a spotlight on local men who make a difference. From business, medicine, real estate, dining and development, these profiles showcase their success stories. The men discuss their back ground, motivation, and the distinct approaches they’ve taken to thrive. Their influence is valued and has made a positive impact in our communities.

They are the leading men of the Lowcountry.

MARIO MARTINEZ

SACAPALABRAS

By Barry Kaufman | Photos by Rob Kaufman at Peaceful Henry’s

Some leading men are born to find one overarching passion in their life and follow it with dogged determination, never straying from their appointed path. Some leading men, how ever, are more diversified. We call them things like “serial entrepreneurs” and marvel at their seemingly bottomless ability to find their next pas sion, and their steadfast dedi cation to keeping so many irons in so many fires.

Mario Martinez is one such leading man. His passions are not singular, they are legion. He is a leading man with goals and am bitions that have taken him all over. In every endeavor, you see his tenacity and his dedication shining through. His latest brought him to Oaxaca, Mexico, where he discovered a spirit that revels in the inimitable flavors of mezcal. It’s called Sacapalabras, and Martinez has made it his mission to bring it to the Lowcountry.

“They call it ancestral mezcal. It’s 100 percent handmade; kind of like the Pappy Van Winkle of mezcals,” he said, referenc ing the notoriously hard-to-find bourbon. Rather than artisanal mezcal, which is produced by machines, Sacapalabras is handcrafted using techniques that date back centuries. “The flavor is far stronger than regular mezcal, which makes it smoother than anything else you’ll drink.”

Made from wild agaves, Sacapalabras is a small-batch love letter to mezcal, hand-crafted to coax out each flavor of the aga

ve by a time-honored process that makes each bottle special. Already Martinez has brought Sacapalabras to bars, restau rants and liquor stores as far afield as California, Texas and New Mexico, but by year’s end he hopes to bring it here. After all, the fertile soil of Oaxaca may grow the best wild agaves for mezcal, but the soil of the Lowcountry is where his en trepreneurial dreams have flourished. Apart from Sacapalabras, Martinez also helms small business consulting firm Innova along with several construction companies.

“What I do with Innova is advise people on opening a business and helping it to grow,” he said. That sage advice is part of the suite of offerings that have made his firm such a vital part of the community. Beyond bookkeeping, taxes and payroll, Innova is there to guide small businesses. “A lot of people see me as the tax guy, but it’s more than that. The taxes help me to analyze a business, then we use that data to help them grow.”

And if you’re going to take business advice from anyone, it should be from a leading man whose business savvy, insight and enthusiasm have taken each of his endeavors to new heights.

“I like to diversify. You always have to be looking for new op portunities,” he said. “The way I see it, if tequila is huge, mezcal is the father of tequila and will be ever bigger. It’s a great op portunity to get into the business.”

LARRY Sr. & LARRY Jr. SETOLA

JUST CUSHIONS & HILTON HEAD FURNITURE CO.

By Barry Kaufman | Photo by Ritterbeck Photography

Toward the back of Just Cushions, within the stunning new furniture showroom marking the Hilton Head Furniture Co., you’ll find one item that is conspicuously out of place. Arrayed throughout, the furniture on display reflects the elegance and style of contemporary Lowcountry design. It’s a delightfully refined modern motif, which makes the antique sewing machine on the back wall stand out even more.

It’s an odd bit of yesteryear among the sophisticated furniture of today. But it may be the single most important object in the room because of what it represents: four generations of a family who has made fabrication of furniture their passion.

“This was my great-grandmother’s sewing machine, originally,” said Larry Setola Jr. “She then gave it to my grandfather, Carmine, when he opened his first shop. Years later he taught my father how to sew on this machine.”

It was Larry Setola Sr. who took the past generations of amassed knowledge and opened Just Cushions in 1994, establishing the business as the island’s premiere source for cushions and upholstery. You’ll still find Larry Sr. in the back, working his craft as a true artisan when it comes to cushions and fabrication. But out front, the younger Setola (Larry Jr.) has taken the business to the next level.

“You look at a company like Sears, they didn’t innovate with the everchanging times,” said Setola Jr. “Every business has to innovate in order to stay relevant.”

Innovation meant creating one-stop-shopping for home interiors with expert consultation. Larry Jr. started small, adding to the line of fabrics in the front showroom with window treatments, lighting options and a slew of catalog options for furniture. Given that the company was already known

for its expertise, adding an adjoining furniture showroom just seemed to make sense.

“The difference with us, we know what a piece of furniture looks like when it’s stripped down. We also know what to look for to really set apart a quality piece of furniture,” said Setola Jr. “That’s why it took so long to find the exclusive lines I wanted to represent. My objective was to find companies that construct furniture the way we would do it when building from scratch.”

Once he did find furniture that met his standards, he found a huge customer base and an opportunity to truly innovate and expand on the family business. Choosing the name Hilton Head Furniture Co., he got to work transforming an underutilized part of the rear workroom into a showcase for furniture that meets the exacting standards of four generations.

This blend of old-school knowledge juxtaposed with new-school expansion and innovation has created something entirely unique to our area. Along with the dizzying selection of lines represented at Hilton Head Furniture Co., the in-depth knowledge the family brings to the table provides nearly infinite possibility.

“There are thousands of options with millions of combinations,” said Setola Jr. “You can change the leg style and wood finish, choose from the array cushion insert options, and select any fabric that we supply from our many vendors.”

From this family legacy, the youngest Setola has boldly chosen to take the firm in a pioneering direction while still embracing the roots that made it strong.

“My dad is very old school, and he taught me a lot of the old school ways of approaching business,” he said. “Show up on time, do what you say you’re going to do, and be the best at what you do.”

DECHIRICO JOHN HARRIS

HILTON HEAD EXTERMINATORS

By Barry Kaufman | Photos by Ritterbeck Photography

Throughout the modern history of Hilton Head Island, we’ve witnessed plenty of changes. The small, sleepy resort town at the edge of the map has blossomed into a fully-fledged hometown with a thriving sense of community and a booming population.

There have been plenty of changes, but there has been one constant: Hilton Head Exterminators.

“We were there from the beginning. They were building Sea Pines and the only termite company in the area was in Charleston,” said John Harris, who runs Hilton Head Exterminators’ Bluffton operations. “We did pre-construction soil treat ment for the development of Hilton Head Island, and it just grew and grew and grew.”

From those early days, the company expanded to the premiere brand across the Lowcountry for eliminating anything that crawls, bites or stings. And leading the way are Harris and Brian DeChirico, who runs the show on Hilton Head Island.

“This company has such a great history in the Lowcountry, and we’re just trying to continue that momentum and improve upon it,” said DeChirico. Improving on it means working towards impeccable customer service and accepting nothing less. “That’s the core tenet of what we do. Without customers, we have nothing. We’re a service company. Killing bugs is just part of it.”

A native of the Lowcountry, DeChirico was most recently in sales for BASF before coming to Hilton Head Exterminators in 2019. His previous career has seen him move three times in 14 years, which became less desirable as his young children be gan to grow. The time was right for a homecoming, and with the relationship and mutual respect he’d built with the company through his dealings with them at BASF, it was a natural fit.

“The timing was right. It’s been a great situation,” he said. “The owners saw the passion I had for taking care of the cus tomer, and it’s been no different here. You take care of the customer and do what’s right.”

Across the bridge in Bluffton, Harris has deftly handled mainland operations as the latest chapter in his lengthy career with Hilton Head Exterminators. Initially working in sales, he was named manager of the Bluffton office in 2008 and has overseen its steady growth ever since.

“We have grown out here to really immerse ourselves in the community, by establishing great relationships with the Hilton Head Area Homebuilders Association and the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce,” said Harris. “In fact, one of our employees, Jake Rountree, has become an ambassador for the Chamber. It’s really expanded our relationship with Bluffton.”

Fostering that sense of community is a huge part of what Harris enjoys about his job. “I have customers who go all the way back with us to the 60s and 70s. That part has been fun,” he said. “I hope that I have helped to keep that going and still be part of it as we get larger.”

Whether on Hilton Head Island or in Bluffton, Hilton Head Exterminators’ leading men are continuing a legacy of quality care that stretches back to the foundations of the Lowcountry’s modern day.

Dale AKINS

AKINS LAW FIRM, LLC

By Barry Kaufman | Photo By Ritterbeck Photography

Dale Akins is a trial lawyer licensed in all state and federal courts in South Carolina and Georgia. He has provided legal services in the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire for over 30 years and has earned a reputation for excellence and integrity among his colleagues, opponents and clients.

Mr. Akins maintains a dynamic practice in both South Carolina and Georgia, focusing on serious personal injury, wrongful death and insurance issues. He has handled hundreds of cases and has a great deal of experience and skill both in and out of the courtroom. The Akins Law Firm offers its clients rigorous representation and personalized focus and attention.

Mr. Akins graduated from Furman University in 1988 and earned his law degree from Mercer University in 1991. He has practiced in Beaufort County since that time. He and his wife, Sally, have lived in Rose Hill since 1994. She is also an attorney who practices in Savannah, Georgia and is the President of the State Bar of Georgia.

Mr. Akins has been very active in various Bar Associations, both statewide and nationally. He is rated AV ® Preeminent™ by MartindaleHubbell, which indicates he possesses the highest level of skill and ethics as determined by his colleagues and peers. He has also been selected as a South Carolina Super Lawyer in the Plaintiff’s counsel category, and he has lectured on several occasions as part of continuing legal education programs. He is a South Carolina certified mediator. He is an Associate of the American Board of Trial Advocates after having been found to “possess the requisite skill, integrity and experience in the special art of advocacy to qualify for this rank.” He is on the LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell list of Top Lawyers in South Carolina.

If you or someone you know are in need of a civil trial lawyer, consider the Akins Law Firm.

COURT ADMISSIONS

United States Supreme Court

United States Court of Appeals

Fourth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals Eleventh Circuit

South Carolina Bar

State Bar of Georgia Permanent Member of the United States Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)

Southeast Georgia Chapter

Certified South Carolina Circuit Court Mediator

United States District Court District of South Carolina

United States District Court Southern District of Georgia United States District Court Middle District of Georgia

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

South Carolina Association for Justice

Georgia Trial Lawyers Association American Association for Justice Super Lawyers

Million Dollar Advocates Forum

LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell list of Top Lawyers in South Carolina

AVVO Superb Rated Attorney

United States District Court Northern District of Georgia

All South Carolina Courts Georgia Supreme Court Georgia Court of Appeals

Formerly Served on the Commission on Lawyer Conduct for the Supreme Court of South Carolina

Former Member of the House of Delegates to the South Carolina Bar

Formerly Served on the South Carolina Commission on Lawyer-Physician Relations

Beaufort County Bar Association

Hilton Head Island Bar Association

Men of

LEE LUCIER

PETE SAVARESE

SCOTT LEE

JASON FACKLER

ALEX BROWN

HILTON HEAD

By Barry Kaufman Photos by Rob Kaufman

If you only know Coligny Plaza as the island’s premiere destination for shopping, dining and ex citement, you don’t know the half of it. Yes, Hilton Head’s downtown offers a massive variety across 60 specialty stores and restaurant. And yes, the regular entertainment schedule makes every trip there an entirely new experience. But behind those storefronts, there’s something far greater than just an unforgettable shopping trip: there’s a dedication to community, and to making the island a better place.

It starts with the local focus that Coligny has always made a priority. Let the big box stores fight it out inland – Coligny is where locals not only

shop and eat, it’s where they find opportunity.

Leading Man Jason Fackler knows first-hand the kinds of opportunities Coligny provides for locals. As a young college graduate, he saw op portunity here, opening up a sunglass kiosk as his first step toward entrepreneurship. Fast for ward 15 years, and he is the owner of a string of sunglass stores from here to Savannah, as well as Carolina Tasting Room. With his wife, Kristin, Fackler has created a place that celebrates the flavors of the Lowcountry.

“I just wanted to sell sunglasses by the beach,” he said with a laugh. “It worked out really well and grew over the years. And my wife has a passion for

wine, so it made sense to bring something to the area that showcased our local beer and wine.”

Another local who found his calling at Coligny is Pete Savarese, owner of Coligny Ice Cream Cone and, at one point, fresh-faced employee at the iconic creamery.

“I started working here in high school, and on my very first day, I said someday I was going to buy this place,” he said. Having just wrapped his first year as sole owner of Coligny Ice Cream Cone, Savarese credits the support of the en tire Coligny community in stepping into the role.

“David Martin at Piggly Wiggly extended a help ing hand as I was a younger person in the plaza,

and The Richardson Group have been a great company to work with. It’s a fun spot to be in.”

In some cases, whole families have joined to gether in creating unforgettable experiences at Coligny. Scott Lee and his wife Mandy already owned a string of retail spaces including Hilton Head Toys – Coligny when the opportunity came up to purchase the House of Jerky. It’s an oppor tunity they have gladly shared with their whole family, including sons Zach and John Curtis and son-in-law Abraham.

“They’ve all been involved and taken owner ship. At 16, John Curtis is helping paint, remodel and delivering popcorn,” said Lee. “It’s pretty

much a true family enterprise.”

Coligny is more than just the place you go when you want to spend the day experiencing Hilton Head Island at its finest. It’s a true com munity, one that harbors cherished memories of visits past while giving locals a chance to forge their own future. As COO of The Richard son Group with day-to-day responsibility over Coligny, Lee Lucier sees that balance as the key to Coligny’s longevity.

“Coligny is a gathering place for us, not just a plaza,” he said. “We’re lucky the Richardsons had the vision to build and let it be what it is, this eclectic gathering of stores.”

JAMES DISMOND HOSPICE CARE OF THE LOWCOUNTRY

By Barry Kaufman | Photo by Rob Kaufman

There is no replacement for the comfort and dignity of quality hospice care when a loved one is facing the end. For more than 40 years, Hospice Care of the Lowcountry has been carrying the banner of excellence in Beaufort and Jasper counties. This independent, communitybased, non-profit organization has not only given countless families the compassion they need at a time they need it most, they’ve also established themselves as an integral part of our community.

Helping to establish these community ties, Senior Director, Business Development James Dismond has been an unstoppable force in his role at Hospice Care of the Lowcountry.

“I’m always humbled by the support we receive from the community,” he said. “And strengthening those ties has been incredibly rewarding.”

Through popular events like The Yacht Hop or just by representing the organization in his work throughout the community, Dismond advances the goals of Hospice Care of the Lowcountry. And by his hands-on work helping families fulfill patients’ end-of-life wishes, he proves that his passion for hospice care goes far beyond fundraising. But perhaps what he’s most excited about is what comes next.

“We are launching a Community Home-Based Palliative Program that will serve individuals who need chronic symptom management,” he said. This program, launching soon, will offer Beaufort and Jasper Counties their first truly at-home palliative care program. And what’s more, it extends Hospice Care of the Lowcountry’s legendary care into the future.

DR. MATTHEW TENWOLDE

CAROLINA VETERINARY CRITICAL CARE

By Barry Kaufman | Photo by Ritterbeck Photography

If there are two pillars of Dr. Matthew Tenwolde’s practice, they are honesty and a sense of community.

The honesty shines through with every patient that crosses his door – and with the people who bring them there. “I’m extremely candid in my approach and look at things more practically,” he said. “Candor is something I take great pride in; it lets us make decisions together with the patient rather than simply dictating what their care should be.”

While providing the utmost care to his veterinary patients, Tenwolde is always straightforward with the people who love them. And his clinical approach is one that embraces every aspect of veterinary medicine, eschewing the specializing that is growing in the field to

give him a greater one-on-one method. It’s this approach that lets him ultimately make the best decisions for everyone involved. And that speaks to the second pillar of his practice, his sense of community.

“I met my wife in California but she grew up in Bluffton, and literally on our first date she told me she was moving back some day,” he said. “When we first moved here, almost right away I knew more people here than I ever did in California. That feeling of community has become so important to me.”

Working with the Rotary, and building his community one patient at a time, Dr. Matthew Tenwolde has embraced the small-town spirit of Bluffton. In the process, he’s given its furry friends a trusted professional to help them live a long, healthy life.

BOB

CLARKSON

THE ALLIANCE GROUP REALTY

By Barry Kaufman | Photo by Rob Kaufman

At the risk of oversimplifying things, the real estate market is in a very interesting place right now. Interest rates have risen, inventory is slim, and yet the market remains brisk.

“There’s no sense trying to read the tea leaves – all you have to do is look at the traffic on 278. We’ve evolved from a place to go on vacation to very popular place to live,” said Clarkson, owner of The Alliance Group Realty.

“Market cycles affect every business; the key is to have a business model that can survive change.” It seems he has. Not only has he consistently grown The Alliance Group Realty since opening it 11 years ago, he’s also purchased and renovated two landmark locations to operate from — Old Town Bluffton and Shelter Cove on the Island. “Owning our locations is key

because it provides The Alliance Group long term stability,” he said.

“We continue to grow and although we’re approaching 100 agents, we still operate like a family business,” said Clarkson. He attributes this growth to the support The Alliance Group prides itself on. “We’re focused on the Realtor, and the Realtor is then focused on the client. If we really support our Realtors, they can do a better job supporting buyers and sellers.”

It’s a time-honored approach that Clarkson pairs with a devotion to building the future of real estate.

“We operate with all the technologies and approaches you’ll find in a young company, while at the same time we still offer the traditional old school values,” he said.

Dr. DUSTIN OUSLEY

HILTON HEAD CHORAL SOCIETY

By Barry Kaufman | Photo by Rob Kaufman

Taking over the reins from the recently retired Tim Reynolds, who spent 20 years making the Hilton Head Choral Society one of the fin est choral musical organizations in the South, might be intimidating to some.

To Dr. Dustin Ousley, new Artistic Director of the Hilton Head Cho ral Society, it was love at first sight. Or first sound.

“I just clicked with the choir. The reaction was just pure joy,” he said. “I really felt like they enjoyed working with me right when I first met everyone.”

Ousley brings with him years of experience studying, teaching, participating in, and directing musical performances in a variety of settings. He has a Bachelor of Arts in music from Furman University, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from UNC-Greensboro, and a

Doctorate in Music Arts from the University of South Carolina.

While the Charleston resident was at first delighted to be giving up the long commute to Columbia where he had recently led a choir, one meeting with HHCS had him ready to start hitting the road again.

“During our first conversations I was impressed by how well they’re organized and how they wanted my involvement in every as pect of it,” he said. “I love the music, but I’m much more interested in making music with good people. When we’re asking our audience to feel something, having the right people involved makes for a much more enriching artistic experience.”

As Ousley begins his next musical chapter in the Lowcountry, we’re as excited as he is to see what experiences he can create with the Hilton Head Choral Society.

BOB ENGLER BUDGET BLINDS

By Barry Kaufman | Photo by Ritterbeck Photography

While it might be his name at the top of this profile, Bob Engler wants to be very clear on one point: when it comes to his business, Budget Blinds, there is no leading men. It’s a highly organized, tightly orchestrated group effort executed by a staff he trusts.

“I never look at it like, ‘I need to find people,’ I look at it like I need to find the right people,” he said. “It’s about finding people who really want to take the opportunities to grow with the company.”

That growth is perhaps best illustrated by their new showroom. A step beyond their already sprawling old space, the new Budget Blinds location is a testament to the loyal support of the community, and the hard work of the company’s many leading men and ladies.

FORDING ISLAND RD UNIT 8, BLUFFTON, SC 29910

BUDGETBLINDS.COM

ALEX GONZALEZ

SNS TECHNOLOGIES

Story by Barry Kaufman | Photo by Rob Kaufman

In 2016, “Sure Network Solutions” changed its name to SNS Technologies to better represent its ever-advancing services and business model. Now another advance is seeing former VP of Technology Alex Gonzalez named CEO and Network Engineer of the Bluffton office.

Gonzalez has worked with SNS Founder and Owner Mike Ray in an innovative approach to helping businesses “stay ahead of the technology curve” – from web design, digital marketing, and 24/7 IT solutions to cyber security and telecommunications.

“We’ve grown from 3 employees to 15 in 6 years,” says Gonzalez, “which means providing more business with more services, so it’s crucial to manage this growth right.” As a leader, Gonzalez says, “The best thing I’ve learned is to be humble. When you think you know everything, you’ve already lost.”

This keeps Gonzalez and team uniquely equipped to be “always thinking of the client, not sales or quota, but what the business needs to be secure and have the right tech tools, never in danger of downtime or loss of cost or data.”

Gonzalez can pass this expertise on to his son, now working at the company and following in his footsteps. “I love and never want to leave the Lowcountry,” he said.

MIKE AND LUKE SIRGO

MERRILL LYNCH WEALTH MANAGEMENT

By Barry Kaufman | Photo by Ritterbeck Photography

What Mike Sirgo created when he started his financial practice office in 1993 was intended from the start to be generational - working with clients, their children and their grandchildren to help families build a legacy. Along the way, he wound up truly creating a legacy of his own, bringing his son Luke into the firm.

“Luke’s love of finance and interest in financial planning developed at an early age, years before joining my team,” said Mike. “I wanted it to be his decision. I wasn’t going to force him, and it turned out things just fell into place.”

Indeed, Luke was already well on his way in creating his own financial career before joining. The former football standout, named co-national player of the year for private schools his

sophomore year, earned his undergraduate and master’s degree in trust and wealth management at Campbell university before starting a six-year tenure in finance in Charlotte.

“It’s such a different culture here,” said Luke. “The way he runs his business is so different and his relationships with clients is so personable. It’s so genuine.”

And the pair have discovered that two generations under one banner has given each the opportunity to work toward their strengths, benefiting their clients. “Mike being a senior portfolio advisor, and myself handling most of the planning aspect of our practice, it has really worked out well,” said Luke. “We balance each other out, 100 percent.”

BEIGNET BOUCHEE KENNY B’S

By Barry Kaufman | Photo by Rob Kaufman

It may be Ken Ballard’s name on the door, but don’t try to tell his bull dog, Beignet Bouchee that Kenny B is the leading man at the restaurant.

“We picked him up from New Orleans back in 2017,” said Ballard. “People ask me why I love Georgia football so much, it’s because I love the dog.”

That love makes sense – it was the first bulldog, Bubba Gumbeaux that put Kenny B’s on the map, establishing it as the island’s go to for kicked-up Louisiana fare. This kicked off a string of bulldog mascots for the restaurant, inspired by a class Ballard attended taught by guest lectuer, legendary ad man Joe Sedelmaier.

“He said to do something off the wall that folks will remember,” said Ballard. “Thus, the dog. We took it and ran with it.”

But it’s not all just marketing for Ballard and his dogs. “I always feel they are all still watching from above, knowing that someday they will be waiting for me again.”

70 POPE AVE, HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC 843-785-3315 // EATATKENNYBS.COM

THE LEADING MEN OF

JOE’S CLASSIC CUTS BARBERSHOP

By Barry Kaufman | Photo by Rob Kaufman

When Joe Gancio came down from New Jersey with a vision to open a true neighborhood barbershop, he knew he wasn’t going to be able to do it alone. He was going to need to form a team.

There’s Eric Faison, “The Beard Wizard.” Came from Alabama with clippers in his hands and 20 years of haircutting experience under his belt. Then there’s Shawn Malloy, the one they call “Big Goon.” After the army, he discovered a passion for barbering that’s still going strong 15 years later. Finally, the new guy, Harry Santana. The only member of the crew native to the Lowcountry, he’s been cutting hair when he’s not out saving lives as a fireman.

“These guys all come from different places to come here and be leaders in the Lowcountry, and they’re a great team,” said Gancio, adding with a laugh, “But let’s be honest, it’s the leading ladies of Joe’s Classic Cuts that call the shots. We just do what we’re told.”

23 JOHNSTON WAY UNIT N, BLUFFTON, SC 843-757-5637

// JOESCLASSICCUTS.COM

PAUL HORGAN CLETEUS SMITH&

HILTON HEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL

By Barry Kaufman | Photo by Ritterbeck Photography

Since first opening its doors in 1965 as Sea Pines Academy, Hilton Head Preparatory School has been on the vanguard of education. Today, Hilton Head Prep begins a new chapter in its decades-long legacy of excellence, welcoming a pair of leading men who are ready to lead the school into the future.

New Head of School, Paul Horgan, has been working in independent schools for the past 28 years at both the upper school and college counseling level and as a coach. Making his way to Hilton Head Island for the first time when the opportunity presented itself at Prep, he was immediately taken by the strength of the community and the potential for even greater success.

“There is a collective ambition here among faculty and students to do great things,” he said. “I want this to not only be a place

where kids work hard, but also a joyful place where they have fun coming to school every day. We will continue to strive to be the preeminent college prep school in this part of the country and a center of excellence for Hilton Head Island.”

Joining Hilton Head Prep at the same time, Cleteus Smith will serve as head of the lower and middle schools. A 24-year veteran educator, Smith has taught everything from pre-school to graduate school, spending the last 14 years leading the lower school at Norfolk Collegiate.

“I’m a big fan of active instruction. I want to provide active instruction that’s going to allow students to create their own knowledge,” said Smith. “You can feel an invigorating energy around the campus as we start the new year.”

JOHN DECECCO III

ITALIAN AMERICAN CLUB OF HILTON HEAD

Story Supplied | Photo by Rob Kaufman at Nunzio Restaurant + Bar

As President of the Italian American Club of Hilton Head (IACHH), John DeCecco dedicates himself to helping support the Hilton Head/Bluffton communities by organizing traditional Italian heritage activities that all locals can enjoy.

Each year, the IACHH presents four events: a Bocce Tournament, Italian Sunday Dinner, the Zinfest (wine tasting), and the Italian Heritage Festival, which will be held this October. Proceeds generated go towards local charities and scholarships. Johnny also helped facilitate the recent sister-city pact between Verona, Italy, and Hilton Head Island.

Originally from Providence, Rhode Island, Johnny brings his own brand of humor, and generosity to Hilton Head’s non-profit arena. He enjoys his island home and takes pride in helping his neighbors.

P.O. BOX 21736 HILTON HEAD, SC 401-524-1416 // WWW.IACHH.ORG

THOMAS M. DOWLING

ALLIANCE GLOBAL PARTNERS

By Barry Kaufman | Photo by Ritterbeck Photography

For the extremely affluent business owner and their family, preserving assets means forming a team of accountants, investment managers and estate planners, all working for the sole benefit of the family’s interests. Under Alliance Global Partners, this same service, once reserved for the global elite, is available to successful entrepreneurs and affluent families.

“We’ve taken that concept of a private family office and created a virtual family office, working with experts in every field to help simplify the business owner’s financial life,” said Thomas M. Dowling, Head of Wealth Management for Alliance Global Partners.

Locally run and operated, but affiliated with Alliance Global Partners in New York City, concierge-level service and vast resources are brought to the Lowcountry. Leading the way, Dowling has put his more than 25 years of financial planning experience to use, creating new opportunities for those who call the Lowcountry home, all while serving as a valued member of the community.

JOHN III, JOHN IV, AND BRIAN

BALTZEGAR

STONEWORKS

By Barry Kaufman | Photo by Rob Kaufman

Since 1987, StoneWorks has set the standard for dazzling stone countertops, bathrooms, and even outdoor kitchens in the Lowcountry, sourcing only the most stunning raw materials and crafting it with the skilled touch of a true artisan. As the founder of StoneWorks, John Baltzegar, III built his company from the ground up, making sales calls during the day before spending his nights in the shop. These days, there are fewer late nights thanks to a staff of dozens of the Lowcountry’s finest professionals.

But two in particular, his sons John IV and Brian, are not just pouring their passion into each project. They are helping to guide their father’s business into the future.

“I’m very proud of this, seeing my family involved,” said John III. “For over 20 years they’ve worked in many aspects: our sales, templating,

installation and management positions. Their skills, expertise, vision, and hard work are invaluable to the company.”

His sons not only share his talent in crafting gorgeous stone creations, they share his enthusiasm for the art and science that StoneWorks embodies.

“Over the years I learned a lot from my dad and others, and, hopefully, they also learned from us,” said John IV. “Each phase of the operation in this business offers a lot of work, and a lot of room for creativity.”

“It’s a great honor to build on our father’s legacy in the stone industry,” added Brian. “We feel well positioned to continue serving the Carolina Lowcountry.”

After their combined 75 years of experience that has passed, you’ll still find all three of these leading men on the job each work day, doing what they love and do best.

KEN FAGUT AVOCADO BIKES

By Barry Kaufman | Photo by Rob Kaufman

The hallmark of a good leading man is that he never stops moving forward. As owner of Avocado Bikes, the ingenious e-bike rental service employed by hospitality firms up and down the east coast, Ken Fagut exemplifies that quality. Not only is he a dedicated cyclist, riding his first 100-miler at age 13, he also has kept his Hilton Head Island-based busi ness moving forward despite the odds.

“We opened in the middle of the pandemic. We couldn’t open our doors until the end of summer and couldn’t sign contracts until November,” he said. Still, Fagut persevered, and now Avocado Bikes are available for rent at the Marriott on the island and at a dozen locations from Massachusetts to Florida.

“But just as important as the growth has been the amazing stories from our customers,” he said. “We have people telling us that never in 20 years of coming here did they have as much fun as they did on our bikes.”

890 WILLIAM HILTON PKWY SUITE 82, HILTON HEAD ISLAND

AVOCADOBIKES.COM

BRIAN BLOUNT CAROLINA IT

By Barry Kaufman | Photo by Ritterbeck Photography

The field of information technology changes by the second, with the release of each new bit of hardware or software and with the advancement of new online threats. Staying on top of these developments takes dedication, something that Brian Blount of Carolina IT knows all about.

“I’ve been in IT since I was in college and never really stopped,” he said. “Of course, nothing I learned in college is still implemented except the ability to think like a computer.”

And the hard drive in Blount’s head is constantly filling up with cuttingedge methods and new strategies for protecting your data. You need only look at the shelf full of awards, including three consecutive Hilton Head Monthly Readers’ Choice Awards, to see that his methods work.

“It’s a local business, and we care about our customers,” he said. “That’s what we pride ourselves on. We’re here for the long haul.”

PAT ZUK AARON IMMELL

JOE DATTILO

FIRST TEE – THE LOWCOUNTRY

By Barry Kaufman | Photo by Rob Kaufman

As the local chapter of a national group who are teaching students valuable life skills through the game of golf, First Tee –The Lowcountry is changing lives in the Lowcountry. In schools or at their gorgeous Gumtree Road facility, First Tee instructors pair top-notch golf education with a focus on life skills and values. Leading the charge are the Leading Men of First Tee – The Lowcountry.

As Program Director, Aaron Immell gets to see this happen first-hand, guiding students through new programs like the youth tournament series and the upcoming Lowcountry Linksters class for kids aged 3-6. “It’s very rewarding to not only grow the game of golf in this community for kids,” said Immell. “They get really great experiences at school, but it’s nice to give them something outside the classroom to grow their game and build character.”

None of this happens without the invaluable support First Tee – The Lowcountry has received from the community. Board member Joe Dattilo has proven to be a force of nature in building that support, working with the community to help build First Tee together. “To me, seeing a kid who wouldn’t have an opportunity were it not for the facility on Hilton Head and our relationships with local clubs, that’s where I get the most satisfaction.”

Leading the charge is Executive Director Pat Zuk, life member of the PGA and celebrated instructor in his own right. To him, each piece of the picture is important.

“When everyone is rowing in the same direction, kids benefit,” he said. “When donors, volunteers, coaches and parents all align to help kids, we build gamechangers. We build those kids who are going to make a difference in the world.”

BRIAN KOCH, NATE SKAGER & CHUCK MULLEN

THE ISLAND REC CENTER

By Barry Kaufman | Photo by Rob Kaufman

The Island Rec Center has been keeping our community active and involved since 1984. As it moves into the future, a trio of new faces will be guiding it. Chuck Mullen, Recreation and Operations Superintendent, joined in late August. “What stands out to me is the commitment to having top-notch facilities and staff who are committed to providing a well-rounded, positive recreational experience,” he said.

Added new Aquatics Director Brian Koch, “It is truly amazing for such a small geographical area the outreach that the Rec Center has and I am very excited to be a part of it. “

Returning to Island Rec Center after a decade away, Director of Outdoor Recreation Nate Skager shares their enthusiasm. “What makes the Island Rec Center great is the fact that the Association is deeply rooted in the local community and works to promote and establish a wide variety of quality and affordable recreational opportunities for the entire community and visitors alike.”

TOMASZ BELKA

THE FRENCH BAKERY

Story by Barry Kaufman | Photo Supplied

Tomasz Belka has been in the kitchen at The French Bakery since shortly after his father Marek took over 15 yeas ago. But his culinary journey began years before he made his way to Hilton Head Island.

“I moved to the states when I was 18 to attend USC for hospitality management, and ever since I’ve been cooking and learning from different chefs I’ve worked with,” he said. When his father took over The French Bakery, it proved the perfect opportunity for Tomasz to broaden his culinary horizons into baking, and work side-by-side with his dad.

“I do pastries, I do breads, but mainly I’m in the kitchen making the breakfast and lunch,” he said. “I would not trade that for everything in the world. My pops and I, we’ve always been very close.”

The Men of VACASA

VACASA HILTON HEAD

by Barry Kaufman | Photo by Rob Kaufman

Behind every great Vacasa Hilton Head getaway, you’ll find a dedication that extends to both the guest and the homeowner. Each carefully curated vacation property is maintained to the highest standards, ensuring that homeowners enjoy peace of mind along with the highest possible rental revenue, while help ing Vacasa Hilton Head guests create memories to last a lifetime.

And behind that dedication, you’ll find the Leading Men of Va casa Hilton Head. Pictured here, members of the operations team oversee property management staff and provide the backbone for a business built on unforgettable experiences.

“The operations team represents our core strengths,” said Bill Haley, principal broker of Vacasa South Carolina, LLC. “Working

hand in hand with central support, they have access to state-ofthe-art technology and many other management resources. But essentially, they have to be customer service-oriented. The goal is to make sure that the guest is getting a great vacation experience and at the same time making sure that properties are getting the best of care.”

For guests, these leading men are the people ready at a mo ment’s notice to resolve any issue, backed by the support of one of the country’s most trusted vacation rental names with a sub stantial support staff. For owners, they are trusted experts in en suring everything is handled with professionalism, courtesy and a drive to do more.

BEN and BRUCE ZAIDMAN & JOE GUTOWSKI

AMERICAN WOOD REFACE

By Barry Kaufman / Photo by Lloyd Wainscott

Bruce Zaidman and his son, Ben, of American Wood Reface have been remodeling kitchens in the Lowcountry since 2009 and have over 1,000 very happy clients – so many in fact most of their business comes from referrals or repeat customers.

“Chances are we have done a kitchen for one of your neighbors or someone you may know,” Bruce Zaidman said.

American Wood Reface’s services include solid wood Amish-crafted cabinet refacing, re-dooring, a combination of refacing and new cabinetry, all-new custom cabinets and a line of new-stocked cabinets.

They can also provide you with new quartz counter tops to complete your project. All this is done by their own extensively trained professionals, led by lead carpenter Joe Gutowski, to ensure your complete satisfaction.

AWR offers free in-home consultations, or visit the showroom in Hardeeville. Call for hours. If you love your home, but hate your kitchen give American Wood Reface a call, you’ll be glad you did.

ROB KAUFMAN

KAUFMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Story and Photo by R. Warren Lindason

Michigan native Rob Kaufman has called the Lowcountry home since 1992, but his career takes him around the country photographing archi tecture, food, portraits and even fine art.

Pick up any top local publication and you’re likely to see his work. From mouth watering food shots and elegant home interiors, to images of iconic island events like Winefest and the Concours d’Elegance, Rob’s photos have been used in hundreds of articles, websites and advertise ments.

“I like mixing it up,” says Rob when asked about having multiple photographic specialties. “One day I can be crafting images at a hotel in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and later that week I can be back on Hilton Head creating tasty food shots for a cook book and then shoot away at a sunset beach wedding that weekend. It keeps life interesting and my work fresh.”

MAREK BELKA

THE FRENCH BAKERY

Story by Barry Kaufman | Photo Supplied

There’s something a little bit…magical about The French Bakery. Maybe it’s something in the deliriously light and fluffy crepes, the savory gourmet quiche or the blissfully sweet pastries.

Then again, maybe it’s something in the way Marek Belka decided long ago that time should move differently when you’re in his restaurant.

“This isn’t a place for you to rush your way through a meal,” he said. “We wanted this to be a place where you put your phone away, you enjoy the music and the views, and you let yourself really experience the food.”

So whether you’re coming in for a rich cappuccino, a glass of wine or an order of fresh-made pastries, don’t rush your next trip to French Bakery. Take the time and savor each moment.

ADAM GREMO

TOTAL DESIGN CONCEPTS TDC BUILDERS

By Barry Kaufman | Photo by Rob Kaufman

What sets Total Design Concepts apart is its full-service approach, one that brings every aspect of your remodel under one roof. Kitchen and bath design, cabinetry and more are handled by the same core group of dedicated professionals so you have peace of mind.

As owner and operator of Total Design Concepts, Adam Gremo embodies this mindful, hands-on philosophy. You’ll find him working side-by-side on site and in the office with each and every client and subcontractor, inviting them to be a part of the process and an active participant. By giving you full transparency into every aspect of your remodel, and serving as a one-stop-shop for a beautiful new home, Total Design Concepts is building something new in-home remodeling.

“Some people look for a beautiful place, others make a place beautiful” - Hazrat Inayat Khan

Imaginative display ideasforporchyour

FALLING SEASONAL DECORATIONS

BY DEAN ROWLAND

Porches are built for comfort, relaxation, social izing, decorating, and enjoying the early morning and late afternoon Lowcountry breezes.

But they don’t have to be boring aesthetically, especially in October for Halloween and November

for Thanksgiving. Imaginative displays of the sea son turn the ordinary porch into a masterful display of crafts, decorations, and organic home-grown plants and flowers. Colorful, earthy and quirky — anything goes.

Start with the iconic pumpkin. Forget carv ing scary faces on them and consider applying artistic patterns and prints up and down and all around with multi-colored Sharpies. Or carve out the pumpkin top into a wide circle and turn it into a pumpkin planter.

Place the larger fall-blooming fiery-colored flowers and plants around the rim and fill in with smaller ones of the same inside. Colorful autumnal flowers and assorted greeneries also can be placed in a pot for as floral arrange ments.

Pumpkins of all sizes and shapes can sit atop small bales of hay, climbing up the steps or on either side of the front door for another artistic touch.

Displaying leaves of the season is as classic as the World Series in October.

“The primary color in leaves is bright orange, so they go extremely well with matched pump kins,” said Lauren Votier, manager at The Garden Gate in Bluffton.

Offset the dazzling orange palette with displays of deep red mums and other scarlettoned blooms placed nearby individually or grouped. Place them in direct sunlight and don’t skimp on a watering schedule.

Votier loves to add splashes of color by using variegated crotons with their pinks, yellows, bronzes, oranges, reds, purple and greens. The croton leaf sports colored veins and margins set against a dark green palette.

In the typical 6-inch to 8-inch pots, crotons can grow from about 10 inches tall to 24 inches.

She suggests placing the pots at an angle behind the pumpkins for visual drama.

Multi-colored shapes and sizes of gourds and squash open other opportunities for glori ous presentations of the season. Arrange them in a group of baskets of various materials for a cornucopia of visual delights. Place smaller varieties around larger ones for a layered look.

Another touch is wrapping a green garland around the door frame and injecting color composed of reds, golds and rust colors from dried flowers.

Center a wreath on the door and flourish it with autum nal leaves, pine cones and fresh picked berries.

Bundled dried calico corn of reds, yellows and brown ish striping with mottled corn kernels wrapped in burlap adorned with long bouquets can be positioned for maxi mum visual impact.

Homeowners can also use foliage, dried flowers and produce combined with pumpkins and squash around the base of an oversized pot.

Add some ambiance by stringing flickering lights using fallish bulbs for subdued color. If you want some more light, add a few lanterns or candles.

Doorways are meant for entering, and a rug or run ner transforms an ordinary pathway into a welcoming entrance.

If available, windowsills provide another perch for colorful touches.

Halloween decorations easily transition into a Thanksgiving motif, and adding end-of-season dried wheat and corn stalks can be incorporated into the overall design scheme.

Decorating

COLLINS GROUP REALTY DONATES TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Collins Group Realty’s philanthropy program, 200th Home Sale for Charity, recently rewarded five charities, with River Ridge Academy Foundation, earning the grand prize of $4,000. A total of $10,000 was awarded. Second place winner, Turtle Trackers, was awarded a donation of $3,000. Third- through fifthplace winners received $1,000 each: Lovable Paws Rescue & Sanctuary, Volunteers in Medicine Clinic Hilton Head Island, and Memory Matters. For its third year, nominations for approximately 112 non-profit organizations were received. River Ridge Academy Foundation will use the funds to purchase additional school supplies that aren’t covered by the school budget. Collins Group Realty will launch its fourth annual 200th Home Sale for Charity at the start of 2023.

WEICHERT REALTORS WELCOMES NEW EMPLOYEES

Caitlin Menghini has joined Weichert Realtors as a closing coordinator at the Hilton Head Island office. Menghini was raised on the island and graduated from

know

Clemson University with a psychology degree. Before joining Weichert, she worked in vacation rentals for more than seven years.

Jordan McGiboney has Weichert Realtors’ team as an agent. to their real estate firm. She will work out of the Hilton Head office. McGiboney was raised on Hilton Head Island. She earned a master’s degree in teaching from Liberty University in Virginia. Since graduating from college, McGiboney has been a teacher at local schools on Hilton Head.

COASTAL VACATION RENTALS WELCOMES MARKETING COORDINATOR

Adrienne Schwartz has joined Coastal Vacation Rentals as marketing coordinator. She has more than eight years of experience in marketing and hospitality. Schwartz is a Charleston native.

THE PATTERSON GROUP JOINS DANIEL RAVENEL SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

Bluffton-based real estate team The Patterson Group has joined luxury real estate brokerage Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty. Consisting

of Realtors John Patterson, Kimberlee Patterson, and Liz Warner, the team recording an annual sales volume of over $20 million in 2021, according to a news release. The Patterson Group will work out of the Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty office in Bluffton.

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY ADDS SALES CONSULTANT

Frank S. Collins has joined the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Bay Street Realty Group South Carolina sales team. Collins has more than 15 years of industry experience, specializing in the sale and marketing of real estate property in the Lowcountry.

COLLINS GROUP REALTY ADDS LISTING COORDINATOR

Sophia Drzewiecki has joined Collins Group Realty on their listings team as a Listings Coordinator. She will provide comprehensive support and assistance to CGR’s Listings Team in the processing and logistics of properties listed throughout the Lowcountry. Drzewiecki has worked as a private school teacher for the past five years in both Scottsdale, Ariz., and Bluffton, S.C.

DRZEWIECKIMCGIBONEY

SCHWARTZMENGHINI

‘IT GAVE ME MORE THAN IT TOOK AWAY’

DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER IN HER 40S, SUSAN BAILEY CONTINUES TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST

BY AMY BARTLETT | PHOTO BY RUTHE RITTERBECK

It’s not every day that you hear a story like Susan Bailey’s. Her diagnosis and survival were both as unlikely and unexpected as her answer when asked the biggest life lesson she learned through it all:

“If I could live my life over again and write my own story, I wouldn’t take cancer out of it,” she says with an unwaveringly solid voice. “Because it gave me more than it took away. And it took a lot away.”

Bailey was 47 years old when she found a lump in her

breast. When she went in to have it checked, she was told it was nothing to worry about.

“I was told, ‘The sonogram looks OK,’ but that wasn’t good enough for me. I told them, ‘I want to know it’s not cancer.’”

She said she was told what so many women are told: Lumps are natural. Lumps can be something else. It’ll be fine.

“All I knew is, there was something there that shouldn’t

be there, and I didn’t want to be lazy about it then six months later have to say, ‘oops’ with my life,” she said.

Bailey was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, and at her diagnosis, her cancer had already spread to her liver and several places in her bones, she said.

It was an overwhelming diagnosis but because she pushed for better care and a closer look — because she spoke up when she knew something wasn’t right – she gave herself a chance to be saved.

And she was. Despite given a life expectancy of three to five years and the prognosis of a “life sentence” of chemo, she now tells her story 22 years post-chemo.

“With the type of diagnosis I had, 28 percent live over five years; only 1 percent survive. I was that 1 percent,” Bailey said.

She specifically calls it “post chemo” and not “cancer free” because in her cautious and knowing words she says, “You haven’t beat it – you’re always post diagnosis, and you know you’re ‘living with cancer’ and going to fight forever.”

Her fight isn’t hers alone – it’s a fight she encourages in others, speaking from the strength of her own road and with urgency and passion for others to sit up, take note and take charge.

“Be your own advocate — you’re responsible for your health,” she said.

Her diagnosis inspired Bailey to live life to its fullest.

“It changed the way I lived,” she said. “I had the opportunity to be positive every day and the strength to decide how I was not going to live. To say no, set boundaries, make changes. I ask myself constantly, if this was the last six months of my life, would I be happy with what I’m doing in these six months and if the answer is no, then I’m going to change what I’m doing.”

Bailey has realized that the seed of hope was there from the beginning: “I never really internalized that I was going to die. It just wasn’t a reality at any point. I didn’t take it in.”

Whether that came from a sense that she would beat the odds, or her unquestioning instinct of hope wired her for survival, she consciously goes back to the moment of discovery and diagnosis and the decisions she made to speak up.

To fight right out of the gate. That’s what she credits as the key to her 22 “post-chemo” years and counting. More importantly, it’s what she shouts from the rooftops for others to hear and to heed.

“I’ll say it again: You’re responsible for your own health. Be your advocate. If you have a concern, speak up,” she said. “And don’t wait. Give yourself every chance to live.”

She did in 1997. This year?

“I’d just like to play some golf if it would ever stop raining,” Bailey said.

Supporting EACH OTHER

GROUP OFFERS COMFORT FOR PATIENTS AND SURVIVORS OF BREAST CANCER

BY AMY COYNE BREDESON | PHOTOS BY RUTHE RITTERBECK

Shortly after moving to Sun City in November 2021, two-time breast cancer survivor Gail LeDour decided to attend a local support group. She had seen a listing in the community’s magazine about a monthly breast cancer support group called Up Front.

LeDour, now 68, wasn’t looking for emotional support. She had just moved to Bluffton from New York, where she had been treated for years at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She just wanted recommendations for local

doctors so she could establish care in South Carolina.

“I didn’t need a survivor group at that point,” LeDour said. “I’m seven years out. I’ve had it twice. I have a strong family support group.”

In the spring, LeDour attended her first Up Front meeting, where she met Kerry Reilly, a nurse navigator for surgical oncologist Dr. Rochelle Ringer at the Breast Health Center at the Bluffton Medical Campus of Hilton Head Regional Healthcare. LeDour made an appointment

with Ringer, who then recommended a local oncologist and gynecologist for her.

Though she didn’t start going to the meetings for support, that’s what she ended up getting.

“It’s just such a great group of women,” LeDour said. “We’ve learned so much about each other.”

LeDour has also enjoyed learning from the speakers who have visited the support group.

Reilly, who facilitates the monthly meetings and is also a breast cancer survivor, brings in educators to speak about various topics with the women. So far this year, speakers have included: a dietician, a clinical psychiatrist, a yoga instructor, the nonprofit Dragon Boat Beaufort and a representative of a mastectomy supply company.

“We don’t just do education,” Reilly said. “I want to do that the majority of the time because that’s what the support group is there for, but it’s also to have that support outside of learning. I think a lot of women find that to be a main focus of the group too.”

Up Front has a couple of events planned for October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. At the October meeting, a Mary Kay representative will give the women, their family members and friends a “Pamper and Perk Day.”

The group will also host a luminaria ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 3 to honor people who have fought breast cancer. The event will take place at the Bluffton Medical Campus.

Reilly said Up Front started in 2001 in Sun City. It was moved to the Bluffton Medical Campus in 2014. She said about 20 people attend the meeting each week, and they range in age from their 40s to 80s. She also said they add new members almost weekly.

Members of Up Front don’t just go to meetings to receive support. They go to help others. The group is putting together a survivorship checklist with

Support group leader Kerry Reilly.

helpful information, tips, encouragement and challenges from survivors to give to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

As a surgical oncologist who treats women with breast cancer, Ringer encourages patients to find some kind of support, whether it be through an organized support group, a significant other, a family member or a religious organization.

“It is really hard to go through alone, and you’re going to have hard times,” Ringer said.

Gail LeDour, left, and Kerry Reilly.

She also offered this ray of hope: “The nice thing about breast cancer is the majority of the time it is very, very curable.”

Up Front meets at 10 a.m. the first Thursday of every month in suite 150 at the Bluffton Medical Campus, located at 75 Baylor Drive. The support group is open to all patients and survivors of breast cancer.

The medical campus also recently added an Intro to Yoga class for cancer patients, which begins at 5:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of every month in suite 150. Contact Kerry Reilly at 843-836-1600 for more information.

DROP A STONE BUILD A WAVE

BY ELLEN LINNEMANN WORLD CHAMPION SURFER SHAUN TOMSON BRINGS MESSAGE TO TEDXHILTONHEAD

Known as one of the greatest surfers of all time and one of the most influential surfers of the century, Shaun Tomson has been riding waves since 1965 when, as a 9-year-old boy in South Africa, he stood up on a surfboard for the first time.

Driven by those incredible first feelings of being “stoked” and knowing almost instantly that surfing would become his lifelong passion, Tomson has been making waves, making history — and making a difference in the world — since then.

This fall, he’ll bring his powerful messages to Hilton Head Island when he takes the stage at TEDxHiltonHead on Nov. 4 to present “The Code to Finding Purpose: Drop a Stone, Create a Ripple, Build a Wave” — based on his academically tested Code Leadership Method. Tomson has become well known for his roles as an author, environmentalist, businessman, advocate and inspirational speaker.

A true surfing legend, he has been inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and the South African Sports Hall of Fame, as well as the U.S. Surfing Hall of Fame.

But it was after the tragic death of his 15-year-old son Mathew that Tomson found his true purpose in helping others. Realizing that out of the 2.5 million Americans who die every year, 1 million die from poor decisions — and with his personal experience of the terrible grief associated with the death of a child due to a rash decision and terrible mistake — he set out to do something. He set out on a new path of “healing through helping” by helping people make better decisions in life — and has continued to inspire hundreds of thousands of people of all ages in the process.

“I knew in my heart that while we all have limited control over our circumstances, we have absolute control over our decisions. I knew that purpose powers our decisions. But I had no idea how to inspire a higher purpose,” said Tomson. “I knew that just telling my story and explaining the risks were not enough. I needed a simple, workable tool that could activate purpose and create a commitment to positive action.”

While sharing his story — and lessons from his first book, Surfer’s Code: 12 Simple Lessons for Riding Through Life — Tomson had an idea of how he could “make waves” and impact even more people by helping to empower them and make decisions to lead to their success. He recognized the value of having people write their own “Code” – having each line of every person’s 12-line code starting with two words of commitment: “I will” – and helping people convert the power of “I will” into a life-changing mantra.

“The Code is a simple tool of visualization and commitment to action that creates a feeling of confidence and internal power,” said Tomson. “Writing and sharing our Code positively influences us and connects us to each other and to the best of human spirit.”

As he continues his mission to use the Code to help others, Tomson continues to bring hope, power and purpose to people worldwide, “making waves” to make the world a better place for all.

Tomson will share his ideas at TEDxHiltonHead 6:30-9:45 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Seahawk Cultural Center on HHI. For more information, visit tedxhiltonhead.com. For more information about Shaun Tomson, visit www.shauntomson.com.

READY FOR ACTION

BY HILTON HEAD MONTHLY

Get set for a weekend of action.

The Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival returns this November as the festival will celebrate its 20th year.

From Nov. 4-6, the event will be held at Hilton Head Island Airport and the Port Royal Golf Club, where the Concours d’Elegance will be the main attraction.

The Sunday Concours will feature more than 200 cars and

motorcycles that will enter the first and 18th fairways of Port Royal Golf Club’s Planter’s Row Golf Course on Nov. 6.

New in this year’s Concours on Sunday are Autos von Deutschland; a special display class of Chrysler Imperial C14s; 50th anniversary class of the BMW M; British Large Saloons (1945-1961); and VIP Customs (custom-ordered cars built for VIPs).

More than 75 judges from throughout North America will

HHI CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE & MOTORING FESTIVAL SET FOR 20TH EVENT

pick one winner from each class, of which the Best of Show will be selected.

The festival includes the Flights & Fancy Aeroport Gala at the Hilton Head Island Airport Nov. 4. The event features vintage aircraft that are flown in from across the country and are showcased alongside Concours cars.

The Car Club Showcase, one of the festival’s main events, is Nov. 5 at Port Royal Golf Club. Invited clubs select the

members to showcase their club with nearly 200 cars on display. The Car Club Showcase will feature the Wheels of Japan and, in addition to the privately owned cars, Toyota will also have a display.

Another highlight is the Aero Expo, Nov. 5 at Hilton Head Airport, which features vintage aircraft from the past as well as new and advanced aircraft. Classic automobile examples and new and advanced automobiles will be displayed.

“Twenty years! It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years. We are excited to be able to celebrate this milestone with so many incredible people in this incredible destination,” said Lindsey Harrell, Concours d’Elegance president. “We are having some fun looking back at our past 20 this year but are excited about the future and what we can continue to offer that is new and different.”

Concours d’Elegance offers discounts for students. Students (with a valid student I.D.) receive free general admission at the gate to the Car Club Showcase and Concours d’Elegance. One parent per child who receives complimentary admission will receive 50% off general admission at the gate upon request. The discount is available for up to one parent/guardian per student.

OTHER EVENT HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Austin-Healey Club of America’s Southeastern Classic: Included with a ticket to the Car Club Showcase on Nov. 5, this is a prime event for Austin-Healey owners and enthusiasts — now in its 35th year.

Legends of the Autobahn: A celebration of German automotive engineering on the East Coast, will be held in conjunction with the Car Club Showcase on Nov. 5 at the Port Royal Golf Club.

Design Among the Stars: The Nov. 5 event at Harbour Town Clubhouse at the Sea Pines Resort features some of the world’s most notable automotive designers sketching live to benefit the Driving Young America charitable fund.

· Satisfy Your Thirst After Party presented by Hagerty: Live music at the Nov. 5 event at the Port Royal Golf Club following the announcement of the Car Club Showcase’s Best of Show. Tastings will be offered from a selection of South Carolina-based distilleries and breweries from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and access is included with admission to the Car Club Showcase. The Road Agents will be the live entertainment, performing a mix of rock, reggae, funk, blues, and country music.

Hockey

Hotbed

FOR

GHOST PIRATES DEBUT

BY ANTHONY GARZILLI | PHOTO SUPPLIED

Hockey is hot.

The Savannah Ghost Pirates, a professional minor league hockey team set to make its debut in October, plan to bring a “major-market experience” to the area, said Bryan Sklover, community relations director.

The buzz has been building, with season ticket sales exceeding 5,000 — including about 1,000 season ticket holders from the Bluffton and Hilton Head Island area.

Sklover said any idea that hockey can’t be successful in the South is outdated. The city has hosted the Savannah Hockey Classic for 23 years, and the 9,500seat Enmarket Arena (6,700 for hockey) where the Ghost Pirates will play is a top venue to host the fastpaced sport.

“The notion that hockey doesn’t work in the South is kind of an old-school kind of mentality,” Sklover said. “Between the technology to have the quality of ice that will allow us to play the game at a high level,

matched with just the way people in the South love competition, love fast sports, love big hits — there’s a lot of indicators that show hockey will work here.”

The Ghost Pirates, who will play 36 regular season home games (72 overall), will compete in the ECHL, which includes teams from Charleston, S.C., Orlando, Fla., and Jacksonville, Fla. The season begins Oct. 22 at Greenville. The home opener is against Greenville on Nov. 5.

The team’s name was chosen after more than 3,000 entries were received in a “Name Your Team” contest. The name embodies the history and folklore of Savannah, according to Ghost Pirates President, Bob Ohrablo.

“It was important that the name reflects the culture of our team’s city,” he said in a news release.

Sklover said the Ghost Pirates’ outreach goes beyond Savannah. The team’s mascot, Davy, visited Bluffton

Middle School in September, and Sklover said he hopes Davy will visit the Adventure Playground Ship at Lowcountry Celebration Park on Hilton Head Island.

“That’s a perfect spot for Davy to introduce hockey to kids in the area,” Sklover said.

The hockey is expected to be high quality. The Ghost Pirates are affiliated with the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights. They will be coached by Rick Bennett, who played in the NHL for the New York Rangers and coached in the Eastern College Athletic Conference for 11 years.

The players aspire to move up and eventually compete for the NHL team.

“It’s going to be very exciting,” Sklover said. “I can tell you, Vegas has a high intention of seeing our players move up. Vegas is looking for young people to

make a name for themselves.”

At the start of last season, the ECHL had 70 players on NHL opening-day rosters. And as of the end of the 2021-2022 season, 727 players have competed in the NHL after playing in the professional league, according to the ECHL, including 29 former ECHL players who debuted in the NHL last season.

Sklover has seen firsthand the rise of an ECHL player to the NHL. When he worked for the Orlando Solar Bears, he watched the team’s openingnight goaltender, John Curry, eventually earn a promotion to compete for the playoff-bound Minnesota Wild.

“That says everything you need to know about the stature and the quality of the players,” he said.

For a complete schedule and ticket information (single-game tickets go on sale in early October) visit ghostpirateshockey.com

A GHOULISH GUIDE TO CARVING

PUMPKIN PERFECTION

BY HILTON HEAD MONTHLY

The spooky season of Halloween is a time when temperatures drop, but in our area the humidity likes to linger. Carving a pumpkin is a fun tradition. Here are some carving tips and tricks to ensure your pumpkin stays delightfully terrifying throughout the holiday.

PICK A PRIME PUMPKIN

To get things started, look for a pumpkin that is fresh with a sturdy stem. The pumpkin shouldn’t have any bruises and ideally has a flat bottom. It is best to seek out a pumpkin that has a deep orange color and one that has a hollow sound when you tap on it. Listen for an echoing sound.

An elongated pumpkin is good for carving a laughing face, or a short, fat pumpkin could be used for a wide grin, according to scoutlife.org.

CARVE CORRECTLY

When carving into the pumpkin be sure to cut a hole at the bottom, which will give you more space at the top to carve without disturbing the lid. Be sure to remove the pulp to slow the rotting process (try an ice cream scoop or large serving spoon). This includes scraping the walls. If possible, use a scraping tool to thin the shell.

Affordable carving kits are widely available — and advised — to help make the process a little easier.

TRACE OUT A DESIGN

Have a plan before you start carving your masterpiece. Carving kits often include a marker and pre-made patterns to help you sketch a design.

A tip from Taste of Home includes using sewing transfer paper to replicate the pattern onto the pumpkin. Put the transfer paper between the design and the pumpkin, making sure the paper is face down onto the pumpkin. Good Housekeeping suggests carving with the pumpkin in your lap, with the idea being it is easier to carve facial features when the face is looking up at you.

PUMPKIN PRESERVATION

Your carving is finished — and the pumpkin looks menacing. But you want it to be displayed for more than one ghoulish night. There are ways to help preserve the pumpkin, per clickorlando.com.

Try soaking it in a bleach and water mix (1 tablespoon of bleach per 1 quart of water) for 20 minutes or coat the inside

and outside with petroleum or vegetable oil.

Another tip is to apply rubbing alcohol or floor cleaner over the pumpkin once it has been washed and dried, which should prevent molding.

Spraying the pumpkin every few days with a waterand-bleach mix should fight off bacteria. Try to position your pumpkin where it avoids direct sunlight. If possible, refrigerate the pumpkin when not displayed.

These tips should make for a fun Halloween.

Spine•tingling TerroR GET SPOOKED

BY THESE STEPHEN KING CLASSICS

BY ANTHONY GARZILLI

For more than 50 years Stephen King has been the master of writing chilling and gripping tales.

A legendary horror writer, King’s novels and stories are a go-to for a good scare.

Here are a few of our favorite spine-tingling tales.

IT

“Want your boat, Georgie?” The clown smiled. Chills creep in with those words, written just a few pages into the novel, and don’t abate for more than another 1,000 pages.

“It” is a classic not just because of its relentless terror but also because of the depth of stories behind the characters.

Reunited after 28 years, seven friends face an evil creature they had battled with when they were children. From a terrifying clown (Pennywise) to a giant prehistoric bird, the manifestation of the characters’ worst fears comes alive in this heart-pounding tale.

DUMA KEY

The supernatural is at the core of this sometimes overlooked but haunting novel. An awful accident takes Edgar Freemantle’s right arm and messes with his mind. After his marriage ends, Freemantle returns to a former passion of drawing. He moves to the Florida Coast to work on his art in peace.

But he finds his paintings have power. Painful memories are reawakened.

Duma Key is terrifying and dark but filled with rich scenes. It’s a story that will stick with you.

THE INSTITUTE

Unsettling is the word that comes to mind. Creepily unsettling.

The Institute focuses on young kids who have special talents such as telekinesis and telepathy. They have been taken from their parents to be examined by a staff “ruthlessly dedicated to extracting from these children the force of their extranormal gifts.”

Kids soon disappear from one half of The Institute to another (Back Half), never to return.

“You check in, but you don’t check out,” a character says.

Desperation sets in as the children plot to do what no child has ever done — escape.

The strength of childhood friendship is a theme in King’s work, and The Institute delivers a story of kids joining together to confront evil.

Tidbit: Keep a close eye out for a reference to a Lowcountry city.

NEEDFUL THINGS

What if everything you ever wanted was available in one store? In Needful Things, each item of a character’s desire amazingly can be had at Leland Gaunt’s new shop. All Gaunt asks is for his customers to perform a deed — or as he calls it, an “innocent prank” on someone in town.

These deeds quickly turn sinister. Soon the town’s residents become suspicious of each other, and the community begins to war with itself, to the delight of the new shop owner.

The terror the town inflicts on itself evolves into a violent and dramatic conclusion.

FAIRY TALE

This is King’s latest novel, which was released in September. The story is about a 17-year-old boy who “inherits the keys to a parallel world where good and evil are at war.”

Charlie meets a dog and his aging master Howard Bowditch, a recluse who lives at the top of a big hill with a locked shed in the backyard – where “sometimes strange sounds emerge from it.”

When Bowditch dies, he leaves the kid a cassette tape that tells a story no one would believe: The shed is a portal to another world. In this world, good is pitted against “overwhelming evil,” and a heroic boy and his dog lead the battle.

King said in his imagination he saw “a vast deserted city— deserted but alive.”

BY HILTON HEAD MONTHLY | PHOTOS BY GUIDO FLUECK

THE CITY THAT IS ALL ABOUT HAVING A GOOD TIME

WELCOME TO NASHVILLE

There’s magic in Music City.

Nashville, Tenn., is full of attractions and has its own unique personality, but music is its heart.

The city has musical attractions that honor the past and present. A destination for popular festivals, top acts have flocked to Nashville including Pearl Jam, which played in the city this summer.

The creativity is exemplified in more than just great tunes, however. There are art galleries, theaters, museums and performance stages.

Planned for the fall are 15 fall festivals and 12 fall family things to do events, which include hayrides and nights at a campfire.

Professional sports are an attraction, including the Nashville Predators of the NHL and the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.

Nashville is alive with music and culture.

Source: visitmusiccity.com

HONKY TONK HIGHWAY

Nashville’s Honky Tonk Highway, on Lower Broadway, is a row of honky tonks performing live music into the streets from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. That’s entertaining enough, but it’s even better knowing there’s no cost.

Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Gretchen Wilson, Dierks Bentley and other stars began their careers on Lower Broadway. This is where the legends play.

Source: visitmusiccity.com

VISIT THE RYMAN

The Ryman Auditorium, known as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” has had performances on its legendary stage since 1892.

Don’t miss an opportunity to take a backstage tour and record your own song in the Ryman studio.

The Grand Ole Opry stars perform every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday night (at the Ryman Auditorium November-January; at the Grand Ole Opry House February-October). With more than 90 years of history, the Opry is the world’s longest-running broadcast.

GRAND OLE OPRY

A trip to Nashville wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Grand Ole Opry. An eclectic mix of country music greats are showcased.

Known as “the show that made country music famous,” for nearly 100 years the Opry has been home to country music’s greatest talent. The theater has 4,400 seats, and each one offers a great view. Every show is around two hours with a 15-minute intermission.

Sources: visitmusiccity.com; opry.com

THE FOOD SCENE

All that activity will make any tourist hunger. Nashville has “chef-driven restaurants” and classic dining spots that serve hot chicken, barbecue, and more. Nearly 200 new restaurants have opened in the past two years. The fine dining at The Hermitage Hotel has been a go-to for locals since 1910.

NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN

Hot chicken is a Nashville specialty. The fried chicken dish is doused in fiery spices, and served on a bed of white bread with a pickle. Restaurants throughout the city serve this dish, with heat levels ranging from mild to “clucking hot.” The city is also known for its fluffy biscuits. Source: visitmusiccity.com

WEST MEADE WATERFALL

The West Meade Waterfall is a beloved destination. Tucked away in a West Meade hollow, the waterfall is at its most powerful post-rainstorm during the winter and autumn seasons. Purchased by the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation, the waterfall makes for a wonderful hike.

At the top of the waterfall, you cross over the Belle Meade wall, which is a piece of the original wall that previously surrounded the Belle Meade Farm, according to a local news station.

Keep an eye out for wildlife. Find the West Meade Waterfall at 404 Hathaway Court, between two houses at the end of a cul-de-sac. Source: onlyinyourstate.com

GETTING THERE BY CAR

At just over 500 miles from the Lowcountry, Nashville is an 8-hour drive. To get there, take I-95S to I-16W to I75N to I-24W.

BY PLANE

Southwest Airlines offers nonstop flights from Savannah International Airport to Nashville. Delta and American Airlines also fly from both Hilton head Airport and Savannah Airport to Nashville with a connecting flight.

It's Island Time

HILTON HEAD

BURNT CHURCH DISTILLERY LAUNCHES READY-TO-DRINK COCKTAIL

The Lowcountry continues to be a source of inspiration and creativity, as Burnt Church Distillery has launched a new line of satisfying cocktails.

“The area that we live in —we have the beach, we have pools, we have boating – it’s a fun, creative space,” co-founder and director of innovation Sean Watterson said at a recent event promoting the new beverages.

Watterson Brands and the Burnt Church Distillery have launched Island Time, a new ready-to-drink line of cocktail beverages, which are currently available in three flavors: Whiskey Mule; Piña Colada Vodka Soda; and Grapefruit Orange Gin & Tonic.

Distillery Founders Billy and Sean Watterson spent the last 16 months perfecting the initial recipes.

“Island Time is a tribute to the flavors of the Lowcountry region and the craft spirits so expertly made at the Distillery,” CEO of Watterson Brands and Burnt Church Distillery co-founder Billy Watterson said in a new release. “Inspired by feelings reminiscent of an island vacation and the notes of our favorite cocktails, we wanted to create a product that transports your experience. “The result is an island state of mind in a can, accessible wherever you are.”

Island Time cocktails include all natural flavors and use high-quality, distilled spirits instead of malted alcohol.

“We challenge our master distillers and mixologists to create beverages with flavors to delight the senses every day. We hope that our customers will close their eyes and imagine themselves on whatever shore, beach, peak, bluff or destination that is the most meaningful to them, pause reality and get on island time,” Sean Watterson said in a news release.

The 12-ounce canned cocktails come in packs of four and are available for purchase at the Distillery. Soon they will be offered wherever Burnt Church Distillery products are sold in South Carolina and Georgia.

The public is invited to an island-themed celebration 4-7 p.m. Oct. 23. The family-inclusive event is free and will feature food, games, a steel drum band, yacht rock, an “island attire” competition, giveaways, and Island Time samples to those aged 21 years and older.

Favorite Signature Dishes

The Lowcountry is filled with plentiful food choices. Each restaurant is unique, with its own special dishes. Here’s are some of our favorite meals from some of the Lowcountry’s finest establishments.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND Aunt Chilada’s Easy Street Cafe

Enjoy the ultimate chimichanga at Aunt Chilada’s. It might be a traditional dish, but it’s far from ordinary. Deepfried chimichanga loaded with grilled steak, grilled chicken, rice, black beans, guacamole and salsa, on a sizzling bed of peppers and onions, with queso blanco. 843-785-7700 or auntchiladashhi.com

Big Jim’s

Barbecue at Big Jim’s is as good as it gets. The prime rib sandwich is delicious: Shaved prime rib, cheddar cheese, crispy onions and horseradish cream on a hoagie, served with au jus. Terrific. 866-420-4478 or BigJimsBBQCatering.com

British Open Pub

Authentic English food is at its finest, British Open Pub puts forth outstanding English-style fish and chips. Nine ounces of fresh cod loin, dipped in lager batter and fried golden brown, served with Brew City fries, coleslaw and tartar sauce. Yum. 843-686-6736 or britishopenpubhhi.com.

CharBar Co

CharBar selects the perfect beef blend, which is then house ground into a hand-formed patty and infused with Charbar’s secret seasoning. Their burgers are char-grilled over an open flame, built with the crafted combination of premium toppings resting on a lightly toasted and seasoned bun. 843-785-2427 or charbarhhi.com.

Carolina Coffee & Crumbs

They serve delicious smoothies and an assortment of sandwiches, but the Classic sticky buns — topped with brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts — are fantastic. 843-342-4800 or carolinacoffeehhi.com

Aunt Chilada's

Carolina Coffee & Crumb

Charbar Co

British Open Pub

Big Jim's

Carolina Crab Company

Home of “THE” Carolina Crab Cake, which will have you planning your second visit immediately following your first bite. Enjoy a lump blue crab cake, with pickled okra and a signature aioli. 843-842-2016 or carolinacrabco.com

Charlie’s Coastal Bistro

Charlie’s is the place for good food and unforgettable memories all enjoyed in a quaint French country atmosphere. You’ll never forget the sea scallops, seared with prosciutto rosemary cream. 843-785-9277 or charliesgreenstar.com.

Catch 22

Their beef is hand selected and cut inhouse. We love the 8-ounce prime filet mignon, which is served with parmesan risotto, asparagus and a delightful housemade fresh herb butter. 843-785-6261 or catch22hhi.com.

Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse

This unique, all-you-can eat “Churrascaria” includes 16 USDA prime cuts of beef, chicken, pork and lamb. If you like meat, this is your place. The many selections include leg of lamb, pork parmesan and filet mignon wrapped in bacon. 843-715-3565 or cowboybraziliansteakhouse.com

Crane's Tavern and Steakhouse

Crane’s serves only USDA Primegrade steaks including Ribe eye and filet mignon among its choices. The succulent Stock Yard selections are served with a choice of mashed potatoes, French fries or scalloped potatoes and a choice of creamed spinach or the chef’s vegetable du jour. 843-341-2333 or cranestavern.com

Delisheeyo

The Buddha Bowls, consisting of steamed grain and healthy toppings of your choice, are a no-doubt favorite of the regulars. Options include bowls with lentils and quinoa and others with fruits, avocado or granola. Try any of their healthy and delicious bowls. 843-785-3633 or

delisheeyo.com

FISH Casual Coastal Seafood

The finest fried shrimp baskets are found here. FISH uses a “secret” house blend of “awesome stuff” for a crispy crust. Baskets served with slaw, fries and hush puppies. 843-342-3474 or gofishhhi.com

Fish Camp

Offering Southern classics and regional classics. Don’t miss the roasted flounder which features spinach, crab meat, lemon beurre blanc, goat cheese chive risotto, and seasonal vegetables. 843-842-2267 or fishcamphhi.com.

Carolina Crab Company

Charlie's Coastal Cuisine

Catch 22

Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse

Crane's Tavern

Delisheeyo

Fish Casual Coastal Seafood

Fishcamp

Hinchey’s

Their fried grouper sandwich is an area favorite — no question. Delicious grouper lightly dipped in Hinchey’s own special beer batter and fried until golden brown. Served with lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce. 843-686-5959 or hincheys.com

HINOKI

World-class sushi at its finest. HINOKI offers creative sushi rolls from its popular sushi bar. The choice of sushi rolls is plentiful, with 30 options on the menu. 843-785-9800 or hinokihhi.com

Holy Tequila

Holy Tequila blends new American flavors with original recipes to deliver the authentic cuisine of Mexico with a twist. Their gourmet tacos are sublime. The tacos offer a choice of freshly made corn tortillas or flour tortillas. Turn your favorite taco into a bowl, with cilantro rice and black beans. 843-681-8226 or holytequila.com

Island Bagel & Deli

New York-style bagels are their thing and one of the more popular items is the breakfast sandwich — it’s not to be missed. Served with cream cheese, lox and red onion on your choice of bagel (16 flavors available). 843-686-3353 or Facebook.

Hinoki

Holy Tequila

Hinchey's

Island Bagel

It’s Greek to Me

Enjoy a little taste of genuine Greek cuisine by enjoying their gyros: Herbed ground lamb and beef cooked on a rotisserie, wrapped in pita with tzatziki, tomato and onion. A tasty classic. 843-842-4033 or itsgreektomehhi.com

JANE Bistro & Bar

Salads are a staple here, and the toasted pecan cranberry chicken salad is a must. Enjoy mixed greens, seasonal fruit, artisan bread and sweet dressing. 843-686-5696 or janehhi.com

Lucky Rooster

Good old-fashioned Southern goodness is captured in the roasted chicken dish. Enjoy a skillet-roasted chicken breast, with haricot verts, buttermilk mashed potatoes, finished with roasted chicken veloute. 843-715-3215 or luckyroosterhhi.com

NUNZIO Restaurant + BAR

A menu that features traditional and innovative seafood dishes, their linguine dish is fantastic. The Linguine Adriatica is linguine with assorted seafood and shellfish, San Marzano tomato, garlic and white wine. Delicious. 843-715-2172 or nunziohhi.com

Nunzio

Jane Bistro

Lucky Rooster

It's Greek to Me

OMBRA

Among the top choices for fine Italian dining, OMBRA serves a delicious seared veal chop, served with seasonal mushrooms, black truffle red wine sauce. 843-842-5505 or ombrahhi.com

Old Oyster Factory

Take in stunning views of the Lowcountry on Broad Creek while enjoying a filling fried seafood platter. Flounder, oysters, shrimp, French fries and coleslaw make for a great entrée. 843-6826040 or oldoysterfactory.com

Phillys Cafe & Deli

A favorite lunchtime spot for locals and visitors, their cheesesteaks are hearty, and custom made. The Broad Street includes steak, grilled onions and provolone cheese. Other options include green bell peppers. Each of the several cheesesteak options are worth a try. 843-785-9966 or orderphillyscafe.com

Reilley’s Grill & Bar

Reilley's serves sizzling steaks, fresh seafood, and pub sandwiches, but not to be overlooked is the cottage pie. This is ground chuck seasoned with onions in brown gravy topped with peas, whipped potatoes and cheddar cheese. Also try the chicken pot pie. 843-842-4414 or www.reilleyshiltonhead.com

Santa Fe Café

Nothing is more representative of this favorite locals’ eatery than a bowl of painted desert soup. Made from red pepper, corn, Mexican cream and mole, it’s a feast for the eyes and palate. 843-785-3838 or santafehhi.com

FOR

FALL & WINTER ISSUE THIS

Ombra

Stack's Pancakes

Santa Fe Cafe

Old Oyster Factory

Stack’s Pancakes

There are many favorites on the breakfast menu, but the Crème Brule French Toast is right at the top. Bakery-fresh French-style bread soaked in cream, vanilla and orange liqueur, grilled and topped with Crème Brule and caramel sauces. 843-341-3347 or stackshh.com

Street Meet

The place to go for some of the best bar food, their hot dogs are not to be missed. Enjoy a Hofmann’s German Frank, Nathan’s Famous, bratwurst or a veggie dog. 843-842-2570 or streetmeethhi.com.

The Crazy Crab

The menu, derived from Lowcountry recipes, features a Lowcountry Shrimp Boil, a traditional favorite. Featuring red potatoes, smoked sausage and corn on the cob. 843-681-5021 (Jarvis Creek), 843363-2722 (Harbour Town) or thecrazycrab.com

The Sandbar Beach Eats

The Sandbar Beach Eats invites beach goers, flip-flop wearers and locals who prefer loafers to enjoy a variety of dishes, including its smoked Salmon BLT. Honey-smoked salmon with Applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato and homemade honey mayo. Served with French fries. 843-342-7263 or sandbarhhi.com

Street Meet

Reilley's

Phillys

Sandbar Beach Eats

Crazy Crab

HILTON HEAD & BLUFFTON Chow Daddy’s

Offering a wide variety of unique items, Chow Daddy’s serves top-notch tacos. From fried chicken and grilled shrimp to smoked pork, these are some of the tastiest tacos around. 843890-2139 or chowdaddys.com

Local Pie

Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizza at its best. Truly being “local” is the core of Local Pie, which brings the highest quality, regionally sourced ingredients to its house-made pies. Enjoy “classic” pies or try a specialty such as Buffalo Bacon. 843-837-7437 or localpie.com

Truffles Café

Be sure to try the signature chicken pot pie. A favorite of many, this dish is made with tender breast meat, carrots, mushrooms, sweet bell pepper, broccoli, sweet green peas, and homemade white wine cream sauce, with a flakey puff pastry. 843-627-2287 or trufflescafe.com

Local Pie

Chow Daddy's

Truffles Cafe

BLUFFTON British Open Pub

Authentic English food is at its finest, British Open Pub puts forth outstanding English-style fish and chips. Wednesday night's Prime Rib dinner is not to be missed. Make reservations. 843-508-6182 or britishopenpubhhi.com.

Craft Kitchen

Each bite is crafted with care at Craft Kitchen and it’s apparent there is plenty of care put into the fried chicken sandwich, which includes green olive pimento cheese, pickles and ranch, on a brioche bun. Served with fries. 843-815-7755 or craftkitchen.online

JVZ BONEZ Americana Bar and Grill

Chicken wings are their thing. Enjoy six to 20 wings, bone-in or boneless and 14 different sauces. 843-7579121 or visit the Facebook page.

River House

An exquisite menu includes a North Carolina Rainbow Trout. A seasonal favorite, the smoked trout roe is served with Nueske's bacon, PX sherry butter and marble potatoes. 855-264-8705 or montagehotels.com/palmettobluff/river-house/

British Open Pub River House

Craft Kitchen JVZ Bonez

molding Future Leaders

STUDENTS HEAD TO HILTON HEAD FOR COLLEGE ETHICS SYMPOSIUM

BY TIM WOOD

There is a nationally renowned event molding feature leaders that has taken place on Hilton Head Island for more than four decades that you may never have heard of.

The 45th annual College Ethics Symposium will be held at First Presbyterian Church Oct. 13-15, with 34 college students from 10 schools descending on the island to debate ethical standards and moral practices before they head into the business world.

This is the first time the event has been held in person since 2019, and event chairman Roland King is excited that he and the event facilitators will get to mentor students face-to-face.

“We are so thrilled to see folks again. Our world has changed; we’re welcoming lower numbers than in years past, but we’re just happy to give these students an inperson experience once again,” said King, who is in his fourth year working with the Symposium.

The students are housed by families across the island

that have signed up to be hosts. Students will spend their days alternating between debating ethical cases and reallife predicaments.

They will also experience island life both with their hosts and via a dolphin watch tour and enjoy a secondday dinner hosted on the church grounds.

The mission of the symposium, planned by a committee made up from representatives from various island churches, is to “foster ethical decision-making by utilizing Christian and moral values.”

“The world is constantly evolving, and students getting jobs these days are faced with more ethical challenges than ever before,” King said. “What we do here is have an open dialogue about situations they have or are likely to face as they embrace adulthood.”

Students can choose to discuss among 12 different case studies involving business personal ethics, public policy and the common good and bioethics.

If the speed limit is 45 miles per hour, is it unethical to go 46? Can you engage in an illegal act and still be ethical or moral? Is it OK to overtly practice your faith in the workplace? Is it OK for companies to judge applicants on past less-than-professional statements on social media?

These are some of the questions the students will face as part of this year’s case studies. Conversations are led by accomplished business leaders who are trained in the art of discussion facilitation.

This year’s group of nine facilitators include former Forsythe Jewelers owner Debbie Berling, former S.C. Johnson executive JoAnne Brandes, and retired Naval Aviator and current Delta Airlines pilot Michael Flood.

The common thread among all facilitators is a commitment to their ministries and a history of performance and ethical excellence in their chosen profession.

King joined the program four years ago when he was asked by then-chairman Jim Webb to train the facilitators. He is a New Orleans native who moved to the Lowcountry from Detroit after a widespanning career in the automotive industry.

In his time on Hilton Head he has taken an active role in charities such as chairing the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and has also mentored young men at Bluffton Middle School.

“Too many of these young men are trying to find their way without parental role models in their life,” King said. “I try to show them that with a work ethic and establishing and working toward goals, you can do anything in this world. Just pick something you really, really, really like to do, find someone to pay you for doing it, and you will never work a day in your life.”

The Symposium has hosted more than 4,000 students since it was launched in 1978. King said that he is working with leaders who organize the event to begin an ongoing relationship with former attendees.

“We want to create a database and truly measure the impact we’ve made in their lives and the difference they’ve made in their communities,” he said. “We know anecdotally that we have some incredible success stories, but we want our students to know that they are part of a special group, and getting to see and hear from former attendees can be a very powerful tool to continue building the event.”

King said that event organizers are always looking for new host families to ensure the evolution of the event.

For more information, go online to ethicssymposium.org.

WHERE TO

ROCK

Our wealth of musical talent is as rich and persistent as our plant life here. The island attracts the cream of the crop seemingly from everywhere, and even grows some of its own. With talent so abundant and easy to find, choosing where to go and whom to see can be difficult.

But what if you could find five of Lowcountry’s finest on the same stage on the same night? And best of all, the price of admission supports a worthwhile cause?

You’ll have the chance when an extraordinary team of musicians assemble on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the plaza of The Shops at Sea Pines Center for “Fun with the Fox,” an evening of music, food and fun to support the Michael J. Fox Foundation in its quest to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

“ ‘Fun with the Fox’ became the name because enjoying life is a big part of the goal,” said VIVID Gallery owner Jeff Keefer, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2005 and now donates all the proceeds from his gallery to the Fox Foundation. “And the most successful local fund-raising events have been all about fun.”

When Keefer decided he wanted to host a fundraiser, he teamed with home-grown singer-songwriter Sara Burns to create what the two of them hope will become an annual event. Burns in turn recruited her friend Taylor Kent, another accomplished singer-songwriter who also grew up on Hilton Head Island.

Both successful solo performers, the duo bill themselves as The Gypsy Bleu’s on the rare occasions when they have the opportunity to team up.

“When performing as the Gypsy Bleu’s, Taylor and I try to create a unique sound of female vocal harmonies,” said Burns. “And we choose songs that cross over many different eras and genres of music.”

The vibrant punch of Burns’ voice blends beautifully with Kent’s softer, soothing style.

“The balance between our two voices resonates in a way that brings a special energy to our songs,” said Burns. What’s even more special, on this night they’ll be backed by an all-star ensemble of other exceptional local musicians – Nate Douglas, Charlie Simpson, and Zach Stevens. Yet another talented musical artist, John Cranford, will be working behind the scenes, running sound for the show. (“And maybe sitting in for a song or two,” hints Burns.)

And the combination promises to be magical.

“When we are all playing together, we are enjoying each other as much as the audience. It’s hard to describe, except we can see that we are taking each other higher,” she said. “Together we rock – that’s the idea.”

Said Keefer: “Knowing that your ticket price is going to the researchers working today to bring an end to Parkinson’s Disease is a feeling we want to share with people. Nobody is in this alone, and that includes the people working now on prevention and a cure.”

For more information or to purchase tickets visit FunWithTheFox.com.

CRESCENDO

BY HILTON HEAD MONTHLY

A month-long display of talent, culture and arts is set to be showcased.

The sixth annual Crescendo Celebration of Arts & Culture, presented by Hilton Head’s Office of Cultural Affairs, runs from Oct. 11 through Nov. 12.

The event features a variety of attractions, including unique arts and cultural programs, concerts, theatrical productions, museum and gallery exhibits, lectures, poetry readings, dance performances and educational offerings.

The goal each year is to celebrate the community’s arts, culture and history.

New this year is a songwriter series in the park. Scheduled for Lowcountry Celebration Park each Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., there will be free concerts by local bands that write their own original music. Featured events include:

• La Isla Magazine’s Latin Music Festival at Shelter Cove Community Park (Noon-9 p.m. Oct. 16). The event brings the best of Latin flavor and atmosphere.

• Crescendo Kick-Off Party at Shelter Cove Community Park (4:30 p.m. Oct. 11). Features the island’s arts and culture organizations.

• HHSO Symphony Under the Stars at Lowcountry Celebration Park (7:30 p.m. Oct. 21). Patriotic hymns

to the beginnings of jazz to classic musical theater to popular film score medleys. The free concert is a celebration of great American music.

Lantern Parade

Always a highlight, the Lantern Parade lights up the night. Beginning at 5:45 p.m. on Nov. 12, the route runs from Alder Lane Beach Access to Coligny Beach Park. The event celebrates the history, ecology and people of Hilton Head Island. Lineup begins at 5 p.m. at the Alder Lane Beach Access. Spectators can watch along the beach anywhere between Alder Lane and Coligny Beach Park. Community members can construct lanterns in advance to be part of the town’s largest and most enchanting temporary public art displays on the island.

Last year’s Lantern Parade brought nearly 1,700 participants and thousands of spectators to the island’s south end.

The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina will host a public lantern-making workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Oct. 29. From pirates and mermaids to crabs and critters, participants will get creative as they craft their own illuminated lantern rod puppet to participate in the Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade, the Arts Center said. Register at artshhi.com.

For more information, visit culturehhi.org.

6th Annual Crescendo:

CELEBRATION OF ARTS CULTURE ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND

This regional event, organized in honor of October’s National Arts and Humanities month, showcases the vast array of arts, culture and history organizations, individual artists, performers, and authors residing and working on Hilton Head Island.

With over 100 events produced during this time frame, there is something for everyone and we would venture to say that there are many somethings for everyone. Whether you like theatre, jazz, outdoor concerts, poetry, art classes, dance performances, or history, Hilton Head Island is where you will find it this fall.

Our signature arts and humanities events this year include a free Hilton Head Island Symphony Orchestra pops concert in Lowcountry Celebration Park, the Latin Music Fest produced by our friends at La Isla Magazine, and the return of TedX Hilton Head.

We’re also psyched about the return of Rock N’ Ribs to Coligny Plaza featuring food from BBQ pitmasters across the Southeast and music by the Grammy Award winning jam band Blues Traveler. And, of course, we will close Crescendo with the 2022 Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade.

This month-long fête kicks off with a free party at Shelter Cove Community Park featuring performances by celebrated musicians and dancers, Gullah storytelling, and a mini art market featuring Island artists. This year, we’ll also be cutting the ribbon on the Island’s new Sculpture Walk and hosting walking tours by the artists who created the work along the trail.

Throughout this catalog you will find many things to see, do and learn from and you can stay engaged with up-to-the minute changes at CultureHHI.org/ Crescendo2022. We can’t wait to celebrate our cultural community with you!

Signature Events

Crescendo Kick-Off Party

Shelter Cove Community Park, Oct 11, 2022

Rock N’ Ribs HHI

Coligny Plaza, Oct 14-15, 2022

Latin Music Festival

Shelter Cove Community Park, Oct 16, 2022

HHSO Symphony Under the Stars

Lowcountry Celebration Park, Oct 21, 2022

TEDxHiltonHead 2022

Seahawk Cultural Center, Nov 4, 2022

Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade

South Forest Beach, Nov 12, 2022

Theatre & Dance

Little Shop of Horrors

Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Oct 1-30, 2022

The Taming

Lean Ensemble Theater, Oct 20-30, 2022

Rising Stars

Island School Council for the Arts, Nov 5, 2022

Spamilton: An American Parody Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Nov 10-12, 2022

The Nutcracker

Hilton Head Dance Theatre, Nov 11-20, 2022

Visual Arts

Art Quilters of the Lowcountry

Coastal Discovery Museum, Sept 10 - Oct 23, 2022

CraftHiltonHead2022

Art League of Hilton Head, Oct 4-Nov 12, 2022

Featured Artist Exhibit: Richard Grant Art League Academy, Oct 1-Nov 30, 2022

Sweetgrass Basket Making Classes

Coastal Discovery Museum, Every Saturday Fall Art Festival

BO Art, Oct 22, 2022

Featured Artist Exhibit: Amiri Farris Gallery at Island Rec, Oct 1 - Dec 31, 2022 Discovery Night at the Museum Coastal Discovery Museum, Every Thursday

Art League 50th Anniversary Gala Sonesta Hotel, Oct 29, 2022

Lantern Puppet Making with Hobey Ford Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Oct 29, 2022

Lisa D. Watson: Avant Gardener

Coastal Discovery Museum, November 2022

Oct & Nov Classes @ the Art League Academy: Painting Landscapes, Faces & Figures in an Abstract/ Impressionistic Style with Art Cornell

• Stained Glass Christmas STARS with Cynthia Buckley

• Spooky Halloween Stained Glass with Cynthia Buckley

• Jewelry Making, Polymer Clay Beads with Jami Wright

• Painting Marshes 101 with Addison Palmer

• Mixed Media: B-E-E Kind with Julie Schroeder

• Amazing Watercolors with Julie Schroeder

• Dive Into Alcohol Inks with Julie Schroeder

• Mixed Media MAYHAM with Debi West Blowing Flowers in Alcohol Inks with Julie Schroeder

• Pinot & Palette Knife, an Evening of Wine and Art with Julie Schroeder

• Edible Art Series - Thanksgiving Cookies, Gobble Gobble with Jami Wright

• Learn How To Create Collages with Washi Tape with Joan Moreau McKeever

Lantern Puppet Workshop featuring Master Puppeteer Hobey Ford October 29 @ 9:30 a.m. Arts Center of Coastal Carolina

Education Alana Adams and Master Puppeteer Hobey Ford. From pirates and mermaids to crabs and critters, participants will get creative as they craft their very own illuminated lantern rod puppet to participate in the Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade on November 12, 2022. Create a one-of-a kind Lantern Puppet using an assortment of translucent forms and materials under the guidance of the Arts Center’s Senior Director. Ages 13+. More Info @ ArtsHHI.com

6th Annual Gullah Food Festival

October 29, 2022

Gullah Museum of Hilton Head

Come as vendors serve up their best pot and recipes of Shrimp and Grits, Seafood Gumbo, Devil Crabs and Stew Chicken, and more. An all ages event that celebrates the heritage and the tradition of the Island. Featuring music by Stee & the Ear Candy Band. More Info @ GullahMuseumHHI.org

2022 Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade

Saturday, November 12, 2022 South Forest Beach - Free

Featuring artist Chantelle Rytter, the Lantern Parade is a free event to celebrate the history, ecology and people of Hilton Head Island. We want to see our whole community as volumes of light! The only requirement to participate is having a lantern! Lineup for the parade begins at 5:00 p.m. at the Alder Lane Beach Access. The parade will step off at 5:45 PM, right after sunset, and travel north along South Forest Beach up to Coligny Beach Park. Spectators can watch along the beach anywhere between Alder Lane and Coligny Beach Park. More Info @ culturehhi.org/lanternparade2022

Music

Songwriter Series

Lowcountry Celebration Park, Every Thursday

Rock N’ Ribs HHI

Coligny Plaza, Oct 14-15, 2022

Latin Music Festival

Shelter Cove Community Park, Oct 16, 2022

HHSO Symphony Under the Stars

Lowcountry Celebration Park, Oct 21, 2022

HHSO Season Opener: Coleridge-Taylor and Dvořák

First Presbyterian Church, Oct 23-24, 2022

Jazz For All Ages Jazz Fest

Sonesta Resort, Oct 30-31, 2022

HHSO Jazz: America’s Voice SoundWaves, Nov 6-7, 2022

The Performing Arts Consortium Benefit Concert

TidePointe, Nov 9, 2022 History

Forts of Port Royal

Coastal Discovery Museum, Every Wednesday

Civil War Era

Coastal Discovery Museum, Every Thursday

2022 Ghosts and Myths of Hilton Head Island Zion Chapel of Ease Cemetery, Oct 20-22, 2022

Italian Heritage Festival Coastal Discovery Museum, Oct 22, 2022

6th Annual Gullah Food Festival

The Gullah Museum of Hilton Head, Oct 29, 2022

Living Museum of Artists through the Centuries Island Academy, Nov 3, 2022

Humanities

Kent Harrington: North Korea’s Nuclear Threat

World Affairs Council, Oct 21, 2022

Grand Motoring Film Festival

Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Nov 3, 2022

TEDxHiltonHead 2022

Seahawk Cultural Center, Nov 4, 2022

Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival, Nov 4-6, 2022

Sergie Medvedev: The Return of the Russian Leviathan

Symphony Under the Stars

October 21 @ 7:30 PM

Lowcountry Celebration Park

Enjoy jazz, musical theatre, and popular film score medleys at this free concert. A celebration of great American music under the stars. Bring a blanket or chair, a picnic dinner, and enjoy the HHSO al fresco. More Info @ HHSO.org

World Affairs Council, Nov 4, 2022

Kevin Cassidy: Global Supply Chains

World Affairs Council, Nov 11, 2022

The Chef’s Table Gala

Sea Pines Resort, Nov 10, 2022

Poetry & Patrón

Tio’s Latin American Kitchen, Every Tuesday

FUN

EVENTS FOR EVERYONE!

CALENDAR

OCT. 1

NOEL FRIEDLINE & MARIA HOWELL PRESENT RE-IMAGINING MOTOWN:

Two concerts nightly: 6:30 and 9pm. Reservations highly recommended. The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com.

OCT. 1

HOUNDS ON THE HARBOUR: A dog-lover’s event that features dog games and contests, a raffle and vendors providing information on training, boarding, grooming and veterinary care. The Hilton Head Humane Association will have dogs available for adoption. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Sea Pines Harbour Town Green, 31 Lighthouse Ln, Hilton Head Island. 843-681-8686 or seapines.com or hhhumane.org.

OCT. 1

SOUTH BEACH OYSTER ROAST:

Delicious, fresh, local oyster buckets plus tasty oyster creations. Enjoy live music on the waterfront and a toasty firepit. Happy hour from 4-6pm. 843-671-2233 or Saltydog.com.

OCT. 1

COMMUNITY YARD SALE: High Tide

Restoration and Cleaning is hosting a Community Yard Sale and offering booth space. Register soon. Free. 7 a.m.-1p.m., High Tide Restoration and Cleaning, 322 Spanish Wells Road, Hilton Head Island. 843-422-7360 or hightiderestoration.com.

OCT. 2

MINDFUL TRIATHLON HILTON HEAD

ISLAND: Hosted by Jiva Yoga, The Hilton Head Running Company and Go Tri-Sports benefitting The Sea Turtle Patrol of Hilton Head Island: A run/walk 5K event followed by 45 minutes of yoga on the beach and ending with a guided meditation and gong experience. Cost is $35. Kids 12 and under participate for free. 9 a.m. Packet pickup at 8:15 a.m. Coligny Beach Park, 1 Coligny Circle, Hilton Head Island. Register online at Hiltonheadrunningcompany.com or runsignup.com.

OCT. 5

CRAFT HILTON HEAD 2022: 8TH REGIONAL JURIED FINE ART CRAFT GUILD EXHIBITION AND RECEPTION: Exclusive presentation of a wide variety of imaginative crafts on display for sale. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. The Art League Gallery features

local artwork in all media created by more than 170 member artists. Reception: Oct. 5, 5-6 p.m. Art League Gallery open every day from Oct. 4- Nov. 12, Mon-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m./ Sunday, 12- 4 p.m. Art League Gallery, located inside Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, next to the box office, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-6815060. Artleaguehhi.org.

OCT. 6

TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF THE LOWCOUNTRY OPEN HOUSE: Students interested in attending class this school year can attend this event for information on student programs, enrollment and financial aid. 4-6 p.m. TCL’s New River Campus, 100 Community College Drive, Bluffton, SC 29909. 843-470-6000 or Tcl.edu.

OCT. 6

TWO-MAN SHOW: ARTWORK BY TJ CUNNINGHAM & ADAM CLAGUE:

One-week painting showcase in Hilton Head. Artwork will be on display Oct. 3-7. The artist’s reception is free and open to the public. 5-7 p.m. Art League Academ, 106 Cordillo Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843842-5738 or artleaguehhi.org.

HOUNDS ON THE HARBOUR

OCT. 6

JESUS PEOPLE TOUR: Live contemporary Christian music concert at Calvary Baptist Temple in Savannah featuring many of Danny Gokey’s best songs. Also featuring music from Jordan Feliz and Tasha Layton. The cost is $25 and up. 7 p.m. Dannygokey.com

OCT. 7 -8

THE 37TH ANNUAL KIWANIS CLUB OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND CHILI COOK OFF & JEEP ISLAND PRESENTED BY HAMPTON BY HILTON: Oct. 7, the weekend kicks off with live music at Lowcountry Celebration Park, 94 Pope Ave., Hilton Head Island. 4:30-9p.m. The cost is $25-$30 after Oct. 5 for admission. On Oct. 8, enjoy chili from over 25 local vendors competing for Hilton Head Island’s Best Chili 2022 and see Jeeps from across the Country at Jeep Island at The Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Dr, Hilton Head Island. Live Music, Kids Zone, Concessions. Cost is $25 and includes one Jeep entry and admission for two to the chili cook off. Purchase tickets at jeepisland.org or Islandreccenter.org. info@ islandreccenter.org.

OCT. 7-8

SHARON CLARK WITH THE CHRIS

GRASSO TRIO: Two concerts Nightly: 6:30 and 9 p.m. Reservations highly recommended. The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620.

OCT. 8

SALTY DOG’S BACONFEST: Enjoy waterfront dining at this event where everything is better with bacon. 12 p.m. 843-671-2233 or Saltydog.com.

OCT. 8

TOUCH A TRUCK AT COLIGNY: Join The Island Academy to learn about sea turtles and meet members of The Sea Turtle Patrol HHI. Free. 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Coligny Plaza Shopping Center, 1 N Forest Beach Dr., Hilton Head Island. Seaturtlepatrolhhi.org.

OCT. 8

NAMIWALKS YOUR WAY LOWCOUNTRY:

Raise voices and awareness to fund and drive NAMI’s free, top-rated programs. 8:30 a.m-12:30pm. Coligny Beach, 1 Coligny Beach Park, Hilton Head Island. For more information,

contact michelle.casey@namilowcountry.org. 843-301-1964 or namiwalks.org.

OCT. 9

THE BIG 10 AT HILTON HEAD PICNIC: All Big Ten alumni, supporters and fans are invited to attend and wear their school colors. Cost is $10 per person. $20 per person with boxed lunch. Children 12 and under are free. 4-6 p.m. Register online before event by emailing BIG10onHH@gmail.com or visit Facebook at Big Ten Conference on Hilton Head. Coastal Discover Museum pavilion at Honey Horn, 70 Honey Horn Dr., Hilton Head Island.

OCT. 11

CRESCENDO KICK-OFF PARTY: Kick-off party in the park to launch a month-long celebration of artists with an art market, food, drinks and performances. Ribbon cutting and dedication for the new Sculpture Walk including a meet and greet with the artists who created the pieces. The after-party will be at Tio’s Latin American Kitchen. Free. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Shelter Cove Community Park, 39 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head.

OCT. 12

ARTIST’S RECEPTION BY ART LEAGUE ACADEMY: BALANCE: ORIGINAL ARTWORK BY RICHARD GRANT: Original Artwork by Richard Grant will be on display Oct. 10 through Nov. 18. The artist’s reception will be free and open to the public from 5-7 p.m. Art League Academy, 106 Cordillo Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-5738 or Academy@artleaguehhi.org or artleaguehhi.org.

OCT. 12-23

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR: Enjoy great food, rides, agriculture and livestock, equine shows, arts and crafts, flower shows, animals and lots of family fun. General Admission is $10. Rides, food and activities sold separately. SC State Fair, 1200 Rosewood Dr, Columbia, SC. 803-799-3387 or scstatefair.org.

OCT. 13

MUTT MIXER: AutoNation Suburu Hilton Head to host fall concert celebrating Palmetto Animal League’s 12th birthday: Mingle with some of the Lowcountry’s cutest and most eligible dogs. Live music from the bluegrass band Lowcountry Boil and door prizes. Fee-waived pet adoptions. AutoNation Subaru Hilton Head will donate $100 to PAL for every dog or cat adopted in October. 5:30-7:30 p.m. 843-962-9813 or 111 Drivers Way, Hardeeville. www.autonation

OCT. 13

FILL THE NEED PROGRAM 5TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Mark the fifth anniversary of the collaboration between Palmetto Breeze Transit and Second Helpings who provide food for hundreds of regular commuter passengers every week. Palmetto Breeze Transit, 25 Benton Field Dr, Bluffton. For more information on this celebration, contact Brian Sullivan- 843757-5782. secondhelpingslc.org palmettobreezetransit.com

OCT. 14

2022 FESTIVAL ON MAIN: Enjoy food, craft vendors, amusement rides and great music. On Friday evening, dance to the music of local band Deas Guyz. On Saturday evening, 1980s tribute band The Reagan Years will perform. Fri., Oct. 14- 5-10 p.m., and Sat, Oct. 15 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Hardeeville City Hall, 205 Main Street, Hardeeville. 843-227-4089 or recre8@hardeeville. gov. Scliving.coop.

OCT. 14

FOLSOM ‘68: A JOHNNY CASH TRIBUTE: USCB Center for the Arts: Revisit a special time in history with the ultimate tribute band performing live. $40 Adult. $35 Military/Senior Citizen. $25 Student. 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret St, Beaufort. 843-521-4145 or defurman@uscb.edu. Purchase tickets online at centerfortheartstickets.universitytickets. com.

OCT. 14-15

THE NEAL CAINE TRIO: Two concerts nightly: 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Reservations highly recommended. The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620

OCT. 14-16

HABERSHAM HARVEST FESTIVAL: Public event by Plum Productions: Beaufort’s premier family-friendly fall festival captures the essence of autumn, community and local flavor and fun in celebration of the coastal town of Habersham. 4-6 p.m. Habersham Marketplace, 13 Market, Beaufort. 843-846-3444 or habershamharvestfestival.com.

OCT 14-16, OCT 21-23

MUSICAL COMEDY MURDERS OF 1940: A play by John Bishop and directed by Christine Grefe. Presented by May River Theatre Company. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 2 p.m. Sunday Matinee. Fee is $25. Ulmer Auditorium, Bluffton Town Hall. 843-815-5581. mayrivertheatre.com

OCT. 15

THE SALTY DOG’S HUSHPUPPY FEST: Enjoy delicious hushpuppies and live music with waterfront dining. Happy Hour from 4-6 p.m. 843671-2233 or Saltydog.com.

OCT. 16

INNOVA LATIN MUSIC FESTIVAL: La Isla Magazine brings Latin flavor and music to the Lowcountry for the 10th year. Featuring Casanova, Church Diamond and Savannah Latin Swing. $10 per person. Kids 12 and under are free. 12 p.m.- 9 p.m. Shelter Cove Community Park, 39 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island. 843-681-2393 laislamagazine.com.

OCT. 16

BOAT PARADE ON THE MAY AND BLESSING OF THE FLEET:

Hosted by Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival: Make plans to gather around the Sandbar by boat at 3 p.m. and proceed to the Public Dock in Wright Family Park following our Admiral of the Fleet. Free and open to the public. 4 p.m. Wright Family Park, 111 Calhoun Street, Historic Bluffton. Purchase tickets online blufftonartsandseafoodfestival. org.

OCT. 16

ART ON THE STREET: Stroll Historic Bluffton. Arts exhibits, music and more. A celebration of exceptional, handmade, original, local and pop-up art on gallery lawns and porches in Martin Family Park. Enjoy the music

of Angela Easterling from 12- 3 p.m. Martin Family Park, 68 Boundary Street, Historic Bluffton. 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. blufftonartsandseafoodfestival. org.

OCT. 19-22

GHOSTS & MYTHS OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND: Bringing to life the myths of Zion Cemetery and other sites on the Island. Witness the life from the 18th and 19th centuries through the eyes of Lydia Davant, Mary Kirk, William Baynard and more. Limited space. Not recommended for children under 10 years old. The cost is $15 per person. One show each night at 7 p.m. 843- 686-6560. Purchase tickets online in advance at heritagelib.org

OCT. 19-23

THE CJ CUP: Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland will host The CJ Cup featuring a 78-man field. Rory McIlroy has committed to compete. There will be no 36-hole cut. Visit CJCUPSouthCarolina.com.

OCT. 20

ARTIST’S RECEPTION: PETER CRAM: Admire this local artist’s work, who has had many exhibitions locally and in New York. He has also spent many years of his life in Bluffton as an experienced fisherman, Captain, crabber and family man. Refreshments will be served. Gallery Artist Demonstrations are Oct. 25- Nov. 18. 5-8 p.m. Four Corners Fine Art & Framing, 1263-B May River Rd, Old Town Bluffton.843-757-8185 or fourcornersgallerybluffton.com.

OCT. 20

OUTDOOR POPS IN THE PARK: HOSTED BY HISTORIC BLUFFTON ARTS AND SEAFOOD FESTIVAL: Enjoy the beautiful sounds of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra under the stars at this live concert.

THE SALTY DOG’S SOUTH BEACH

HAUNTED BAR-B-Q

General lawn seating. Bring folding chairs, a blanket and food and/ or beverages. 7:30pm. Martin Family Park, 68 Boundary St, Historic Bluffton. Blufftonartsandseafoodfestival.org.

OCT. 20-21

ROBERTO COIN TRUNK SHOW: Explore the newly Coined Fall Collections including Duchessa, Cialoma, Tiny Treasures Venetian Princess and Navarra, Siena. Complimentary gift with your Roberto Coin purchase. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Forsythe Jewelers, The Shops at Sea Pines Center, 71 Lighthouse Rd, Suite 311, Hilton Head Island. 843671-7070 or forsythejewelers.biz.

OCT. 21-22

RICHARD OCHOA PRESENTS: VELVET CARAVAN: Two shows nightly: 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Reservations highly recommended. The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. 843-8428620 or thejazzcorner.com.

OCT. 22

HILTON HEAD ISLAND ITALIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL:

Presented by the Italian American Club Hilton Head: The Old Country Comes to The Lowcountry for its 12th year. Food, wine, a kids’ zone, live music and a grape-stomping contest. Food booths. Cooking demonstrations. Tickets are $6 (free for kids under 10) and can be purchased at the gate or iachh.org/italian-heritage-festival. Proceeds support. $6/person. Free parking. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Dr, Hilton Head Island. For more information, please call or email Paul Ciamano at 412-897-1148 or paccomkt@aol.com. iachh.org.

OCT. 22

THE SALTY DOG’S SHRIMP EXTRAVAGANZA: Shrimp, shrimp and more shrimp. Create the Lowcountry’s favorite seafare from classic to tasty new creations. Live music and waterfront dining. Happy Hour from 4-6 p.m. 843-671-2233 or Saltydog.com.

OCT. 22-29

HALLOWEEN WAGON RIDES: Hop aboard a red wagon and enjoy a wagon journey around Fish Island. Along the way enjoy a Halloween themed I-spy. Show off your costume. Reservations required. $18/ adult and $16/child (at least one adult must accompany children under the age of 16). 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Sea Pines Heritage Farm, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-1979 or seapines.com.

OCT. 22

ROCKIN’ ON THE DOCK: Enjoy live music from The Chiggers, eat delicious local seafood and end the evening with an amazing fireworks display. 6-9 p.m. Bluffton Oyster Factory Park, 63 Wharf Street, Bluffton. Blufftonartsandseafoodfestival.org.

OCT. 26

GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING VOCALIST QUIANA PARLER WITH THE LAVON STEVENS TRIO: Two shows nightly. 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Reservations highly recommended. The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com.

OCT. 27

LCC KIDS STORYTIME: 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. 843-836-1101 or lowcountrycc.org.

OCT. 28-29

SHANA TUCKER WITH THE CHRISTIAN TAMBURR TRIO: Two concerts nightly: 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Reservations highly recommended. The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Pkwy. Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com.

OCT. 29

THE SALTY DOG’S SOUTH BEACH HAUNTED BAR-B-Q: A fun family event featuring delicious barbeque, festive family fun, a costume contest, spooky sweet treats and live music on the waterfront. 12pm. 843-671-2233 or Saltydog.com.

OCT. 29

2022 ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S IN BLUFFTON: Participants will join the fight and walk to honor those affected by Alzheimer’s. Registration begins at 10 a.m. Opening ceremony begins at 10:45 a.m. Promenade in Old Town Bluffton, 1 Promenade Street, Bluffton. For more information or to volunteer, contact Briana Baynard at 843-614-6608 or bbaynard@alz. org. Act.alz.org.

OCT. 29

50TH ANNIVERSARY GALA: ART LEAGUE OF HILTON HEAD: A special evening of dinner and dancing with Deas-Guyz, raffles, and program celebrating the nonprofit organization’s tenure on Hilton Head from 1972-2022. Tickets are $150 per person or $1,600 for a reserved VIP table of eight. 5:30 p.m. Sonesta Resort on Hilton Head, 130 Shipyard Drive. 843-842-5738 or academy@artleaguehhi.org or artleaguehhi.org.

THROUGH OCT. 29

OKTOBERFEST AT PLANT RIVERSIDE DISTRICT: Celebrate old and new German traditions with family-friendly fun including live polka music and festive competitions. The exceptional restaurants of Plant Riverside will serve specialty beers as well as food and beverages. Free and open to the public. 1-4 p.m. Plant Riverside District Pavilion Tent, 400 W River St, Savannah, GA. 912-373-9100 or plantriverside.com.

OCT. 30

HALLOWEEN ON THE HARBOUR:

Celebrate Halloween at The Sea Pines Resort with trick-or-treating and activities around Harbour Town. Everyone is welcome to attend and invited to wear a costume. Visitors who are not owners or registered guests of The Sea Pines Resort need to pay a gate fee to enter The Sea Pines Community. Free to attend. 1:30-3:30pm. 843-842-1979 or Seapines. com.

THROUGH OCT. 30

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS: The world’s most ravenous plant is back with a bite. Tickets are $67/$57 for single adults/children. Recommended for ages 13 and older. Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-2787 or artshhi.com.

p.m., the Car Club Showcase on Sat., Nov. 5 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and the main event on Sun., Nov. 6 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Best in Show on Sunday. Sunday’s event tickets can be purchased online. Sunday event pricing: Adult admission is $75. Students and Active-Duty Military are FREE. VIP packages and multiDay tickets are available online. hhiconcours. com.

NOV. 5

A WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!:

Presented by Hilton Head Shore Notes, a women’s a capella chorus: Tickets are $20 and are available for purchase at Burkes’ Pharmacy in Hilton Head, Pretty Papers in the Village at Wexford and Markel’s at Kitties Crossing in Bluffton. 7 p.m. Seahawk Cultural Center, 70 Wilborn Road, Hilton Head Island. 843-422-4799 or purchase tickets online at hiltonheadshorenotes.com.

NOV. 6

NOV. 4-6

20TH HILTON HEAD ISLAND CONCOURS D’ ELEGANCE & MOTORING FESTIVAL:

A weekend of exciting events including the Aeroport Gala on Friday, Nov. 4 from 7-10

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. After the event, participants can enjoy food, music and activities. Registration costs start at $50. 8a.m., The Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton, 100

H.E. McCracken Circle, Bluffton. 843-7572845 or bgcbluffton.org.

NOV. 11

2022 VETERANS DAY REMEMBRANCE

CEREMONY: The American Legion Alexander Wattay Post 185 and the Military Veterans Coalition of Hilton Head Island host this year’s ceremony. The keynote speaker is Joe McNamara, on the Board of Directors of Operation Patriots FOB in Ridgeland. Free and open to the public. 10:30 a.m. Shelter Cove Veterans Memorial Park, 59 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island. 843-342-6322 or warrenagraves@hotmail.com.

NOV. 11-12

HILTON HEAD OYSTER FESTIVAL: On Friday evening, Nov. 11, 5-8 p.m., All You Can Eat Event at Shelter Cove Park. All You Can Eat steamed local oysters, Lowcountry boil, seafood chowder, pulled pork and chili. Live music. Nov. 11- $55 Adults/$45 Children, 5-8pm. On Saturday, Nov. 12: Main Event at Lowcountry Celebration Park. Restaurants will compete for the best seafood dish. Nov 12- $8 before Oct. 1, $10 after Oct 1/ Children 10 and under are Free. Tickets and all purchases inside the festival through the Crowdblink App. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. 843-681-7273 islandreccenter.org.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS

MEMORY ENHANCING CLASSES: A memory enhancing program providing curriculum-based, mind-enhancing content to encourage socialization, stimulation and support for individuals newly diagnosed with early memory loss. Costs: 1 day per week is $200; 2 days per week is $350. In-person on Mondays & Wednesdays. Virtual classes are offered on Thursdays between 10:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. Memory Matters, 117 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-6688 or mymemorymatters.org.

MONDAYS-SATURDAY

REST, RELAXATION AND REJUVENATION: Relax with private yoga in a Himalayan salt room (Halotherapy), heal your body in the Infrared sauna or book an appointment for a private massage or sound bath session. Call to book an appointment. Shelter Cove Lane and Marina, 9 Harbourside Lane, Suite B, Hilton Head Island. 843-715-2825 or puresaltstudios.com.

TUESDAYS

HILTON HEAD ISLAND FARMERS MARKET: Support our local farmers and producers and take home fresh produce, pasture-raised chicken, free-range rabbit, pork, seafood, salsa, sausage, cookies, bread, she-crab soup and more. Entrance and parking are free. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum. 70 Honey Horn Dr, Hilton Head Island. 843473-5231 or hhifarmersmarket.com.

TUESDAYS

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 theshopsatseapinescenter.com.

THURSDAYS

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

THURSDAYS

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 farmersmarketbluffton.org.

THURSDAYS

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

THURSDAYS

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. 4:30 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767, ext. 223 or coastaldiscovery.org.

THURSDAYS

THIRSTY THURSDAYS WINE TASTING: Hazel Dean’s Wine Tasting features four fabulous wines on the patio. 4-6pm. The cost is $20 and includes complimentary charcuteries. Must be at least 21. 843-8022001 or info@hazeldeans.com. Theshopsatseapinescenter.com.

THURSDAYS

DISCOVERY NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: An educational, artistic and fun after-hours program that varies on topics and unique activities. Designed for ages 7 and up. Must pre-register and pay online in advance. Times and fees vary. Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Dr., Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767 or coastaldiscovery.org.

FRIDAYS

SIT AND STITCH: Practice needlepoint every Friday during this casual sit and stitch event. All levels welcome. Free. 10 a.m., Needlepoint Junction, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Suite 6134, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8488 or shopneedlepointjunction.com.

FRIDAYS

BEGINNER SHAG LESSONS AND SOCIAL DANCING: The Hilton Head Island Carolina Shag Club will host Friday night beginner shag lessons, followed by social dances. Lessons are open to couples, singles, and anyone who loves to dance. Dances are open to the public and all styles of dancers: shag, ballroom, swing, country, or line. Floor fee is $5. 5:30 p.m., Christ Lutheran Church, 829 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-363-6008 or hiltonheadshagclub.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.

SATURDAYS

HILTON HEAD COMMUNITY MARKET: Each Saturday morning beginning Oct. 1. Food-focused market that also features a limited number of local artisans and makers each week. The Hilton Head Community Market is volunteer organized and run-in partnership with Island Recreation. 50% of all vendor fees received will be donated to a different local non-profit organization each month. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Shelter Cover Community Park, 39 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island. @hhicommunitymarket on Facebook and Instagram. For inquiries, contact Colleen Laux at colleen@cottonwoodsoap.com.

SATURDAYS

PALM TREE AND PISTONS: : Local car show every second Saturday of each month. Oct. 8. Showcases local vintage/antique, exotic, muscle and unique cars owned by locals. 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Sea Turtle Marketplace (in front of the former Steinmart), 430 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island. Visit Facebook page or email for more information at eriseman@ yahoo.com.

WEEKLY, MONTHLY & HOLIDAY CAMPS SMITH STEARNS TENNIS ACADEMY: : Programs are available for all junior tennis players of all levels and the length of your stay at the academy is up to you, whether it be daily, weekly or monthly- spring, fall and winter. Private tennis lessons are also available to ensure your student gets one-on-one instruction and develops a relationship with one of our top-notch tennis coaches. Smith Stearns Tennis Academy, 1 Lighthouse Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-363-4789 or smithstearns.com.

ALLIGATOR AND WILDLIFE BOAT TOUR: Alligator and Wildlife Boat Tour with H2O Sports in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. Get an up-close view of indigenous plant and animal life, including the American alligator, on a one-hour guided boat tour. Reservations are required, 843-6714386 or h2osports.com.

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. 843842-1979 or seapines.com.

TRAIL RIDES THROUGH THE SEA PINES FOREST PRESERVE WITH LAWTON STABLES: Meander through the preserve on horseback for the true feel of the untouched Lowcountry. Trail riders must be at least 8 years old. Reservations are required. 843-671-2586 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.

THE HARBOUR TOWN LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM: Explore Hilton Head Island’s rich history and learn the story behind its famous lighthouse in a unique, museum-like setting. Admission is $5.75/person, complimentary for children ages 5 and younger. Open every day 10 a.m.-sundown. 149 Lighthouse Rd. 843-671-2810 or harbourtownlighthouse.com.

My Memory Minding

The moment of realization was exhilarating and satisfying. No instant internet searching. No smartphone scrolling. No flipping through worn pages.

Instead, an answer was plucked from the far reaches of my memory.

It may have taken several days, but it was pure bliss when it was revealed. I saw the letters materialize, and then the words developed, and I’m sure my eyes widened in excitement.

After many moments of serious contemplation — and other hours thinking of anything but the question — a name appeared in a lightning bolt of illumination.

Throughout the summer my friend and I have exchanged, via text, answers to a trivia question.

The exact nature of the question isn’t significant (just know that the naming of mostly obscure baseball players is at its core), but what is important is how we arrived at our answers.

The matter of such frivolous trivia is serious business, which requires not a quick Google search but recollection at the highest level of concentration. Flashbacks swim through my mind like Microfilm: A brief highlight caught on TV, a transaction noticed in small print, the lamenting of incredulous radio announcers.

All those stored memories coalesce to find an answer. And then eventually another answer.

Days have gone by with neither of us buzzing in with a name. But then one will pop onto the screen, and I’ll smile in recognition and admiration.

The game remains alive.

I’ve long enjoyed the pleasure of recalling an event or a bit of minutiae by working through my memories.

This was a topic of a recent article that explored how technology has impacted our memories. Smartphones are so ubiquitous and flooded with outlets for information that it is easy to find answers within hundreds of seconds.

ANTHONY

But things can be lost with instant gratification. Professor Oliver Hardt, who studies the neurobiology of memory and forgetting at McGill University in Montreal, told The Guardian that once we stop using our memory “it will get worse.” Hardt suggests the convenience of the technology has a price. Not all experts agree on technology’s detrimental effects on memory. Recently, findings by a team led by Dr. Sam Gilbert that were published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General reveal that storing information in digital devices can improve memory. And last year a paper by University of Cincinnati social/behavioral expert Anthony Chemero said digital technology supplements our thinking.

But it can’t replace the thrill of the chase.

I recently watched a show and immediately recognized an actress who had appeared as a different character in another show. I couldn’t place the name.

For the entire episode half my concentration was spent on recalling her name in that other drama series. The process included a run through the alphabet and a sounding out of names that I hoped would lead me to the correct one.

The show ended with the name still elusive, but I remained determined. Mulling it over, a flurry of possibilities raced through my mind as I paced the living room, then sat down, eyes affixed to the ceiling.

I knew I was close. It was right there. My mind churned.

It’s interesting how the most common actions can lead to extraordinary revelations. Later, while reading an article with absolutely no ties to acting or television shows, I suddenly saw it clearly in my mind.

I was energized. The name. I remembered.

There wasn’t much I could do with this bit of useless information. No awards to be won, no plaudits to be received, but no matter — for a few minutes I savored the moment.

The answer could have been found much faster, but what would have been the fun in that?

I’VE LONG ENJOYED THE PLEASURE OF RECALLING A BIT OF